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GRINNELL  UBRARY^ 

MUSEUM  OF 
VERTEBRATE  ZOOLOGY- 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/avifaunaoflouisiOObeyerich 


'7 


(Reprinted  from  the  Proceedings  of  The  Louisiana  Society 
OF  Naturalists— 1897-1899,  pp.  75  to  120). 


THE 


AVIFAUNA  OF  LOUISIANA, 

with 

An  Annotated  List  of  the  Birds  of 
the  State. 


GEO.   E.   BEYER. 


New  Orleans   La. 

1900. 


LIBRARY 
UNiV^SiTY  OF  CALIFORNI/' 

__..:._ ___DAVIS .- 


VII. 


THE  AVIFAUNA  OF  LOUISIANA. 


GEO.   E.    BEYER. 


(Communicated  March  3,  1899). 

Altlious'h  the  natural  history  of  the  birds  of  North  Amer- 
ica in  general,  as  well  as  that  of  several  of  the  individual 
states  of  our  Union,  has  been  well  worked  up  time  and  again, 
no  eflbrt,  so  far  as  1  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  has 
been  made  to  define  the  extent  and  distribution  of  feathered 
life  within  the  limits  of  Louisiana,  almost  all  material  iu  or- 
nithology pertaining  to  the  state  having  been  incorporated 
with  other  and  more  general  workg  on  the  subject. 

We  find  the  earliest  account  of  the  bird-fauna  of  Louisiana 
in  Le  Page  du  Pratz's  ^'Histoire  de  la  Louisiane,"  published 
in  Paris  in  1758.  This  early  historian  of  our  state  devotes  a 
part  of  his  second  volume  to  an  account  of  the  plant  and  ani- 
mal life  as  it  appeared  to  him,  an  untutored  naturalist.  One 
chapter  only  treats,  in  a  rather  crude  but  quaint  way,  of  the 
birds.  His  descriptions,  of  course,  are  not  only  faulty,  and 
in  many  ways  exaggerated,  but  his  list  falls  far  short  of  the 
number  of  species  known  to  us  at  the  present  day. 

Le  Page  only  mentions  and  describes  about  36  species, 
which  he  also  endeavpred  to  represent  by  illustrations.  It 
was  well  that  he  had  the  forethought  to  furnish  these  illus- 
trations with  the  names  of  the  birds  they  were  intended  to 
represeiit.  1  am  sure  that  the  Parisians  of  the  time  must  have 
been  strongly  impressed  with  the  wonderful  grotesqueness  of 
the  birds  of  Louisiana. 

Notwithstanding  the  shortcomings  of  Le  Page,  we  must 
certainly  give  him  the  credit  of  being,  even  ui>  to  this  day, 
the  only  naturalist  who  has  confined  himself  strictly  to  Louisi- 
ana in  the  treatment  of  his  subject. 


The  knowledge  of  bird-life  in  Louisiana  remained  confined 
to  Le  Page's  limits  until  tlie  present  century  was  well  advanced, 
for  other  historians  either  did  not  trouble  themselves  about  it 
at  all,  or  mentioned  it  only  in  a  very  desultory  manner.  It 
was  not  until  a  Wilson,  and  later  still  an  Audubon  appeared 
on  the  scene,  and  devoted  their  lives  to  the  subject  of  orni- 
thology, that  we  become  more  acquainted  with  the  actual 
extent  of  this  class  of  vertebrates  in  this  country  in  general, 
and  Louisiana  in  particular.  The  material  collected  in  Louisi- 
ana by  these  two  famous  workers  Avas  incorporated  by  them 
in  their  comprehensive  works  on  tlie  birds  of  North  America. 
The  first — ^^American  Ornithology,"  by  Alexander  Wilson, 
appeared  in  I8I45  the  second— ''Ornithological  Biography,"  by 
Audubon  in  1838,  which  was  subsequently  enlarged  in  1844  to 
the  now  famous  "Birds  of  America." 

Almost  contemx)oraiieous  with  Audubon's  work,  appeared 
^^A  Manual  of  the  Ornithology  of  the  United  States,"  by 
Nuttall,  of  which  two  editions  were  issued^  one  in  1832,  and 
the  other  in  1840.  In  1872  appeared  for  the  first  time,  ^'A 
Key  to  I^^^orth  American  Birds  "  by  Dr.  Elliot  Ooues,  and  in 
1884  "The  birds  of  North  America,"  by  Baird,  Brewer  and 
Eidgway.  All  of  these  Avorks  contain  references  to  records 
made  in  Louisiana,  but  no  author  appeared  to  emulate  Le 
Page's  example,  except  one,  L.  von  Keitzenstein,  who  wrote 
and  published  during  1883  a  number  of  articles  under  the  title 
of '^Birds  of  Louisiana,"  in  the  Sunday  editions  of  the  New 
Orleans  Times-Democ>rat.  As,  however,  these  papers  were 
intended  more  for  the  amusement  of  the  subscribers  to  that 
newspaper,  and  the  author  permitted  too  many  exaggerations 
and  too  much  fiction  to  enter  into  the  various  biographies,  his 
endeavors  fell  far  short  in  value  to  be  regarded  as  a  work  of 
scientific  character  and  merit. 

The  literature  on  the  ornithology  of  Louisiana  is  therefore 
wanting,  and  we  are  standing,  in  this  respect,  far  behind  the 
work  accomplished  in  other  states,  as  for  instance:  Long- 
Island  and  New  York,  whose  bird-faunas  were  i>ublished  as 
early  as  1844  by  Giraud  and  DeKay  respectively. 

While  Louisiana  has,  at  times,  possessed  observers  and 
collectors,  ardent  and  accomplished  enough  to  pursue  their 
favorite  study  with  fair  success,  they  have,  unfortunately, 
failed  to  publish  the  results  of  their  Avork  either  in  a  satisfac- 
tory and  systematic  manner,  or  altogether. 

The  annexed  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Louisiana  is  the  re- 
sult of  personal  observation  and  collecting  during  fully  six- 


3 

teen  years  within  tlie  limits  ofour  state.  In  the  pnrsnit  of  the 
study  of  ornitliology  I  liave  visited  nearly  every  section  of  the 
state  at  different  seasons  of  the  year,  and  in  this  way  learned 
to  understand  the  variation  of  bird-life  effected  by  the  annual 
spring  and  iVdl  migrations.  During  the  spring  and  summer 
months  of  1886  I  made  the  first  extended  tour,  i)artly  in  a 
pirogue  and  partly  overland,  through  the  entire  section 
covered  by  the  parishes  of  St.  James,  St.  John  the  Baptist, 
St.  Charles,  Jefferson,  Orleans,  Plaquemine  and  St.  Bernard. 
In  1888,  from  the  8th  April  to  the  28th  July,  I  traversed  on 
foot  all  parishes  north  of  Lake  Maurepas  and  Lake  Pontchar- 
train,  east  of  the  Mississippi,  with  the  exception  of  West 
Feliciana,  establishing  on  this  trip  alone  the  records  of  89  spe- 
cies, or  over  one-half  of  the  breeding  birds  of  the  state.  To 
enumerate  other  trips,  more  or  less  extensive,  which  were 
made  during  the  following  years  would  be  too  tedious  and 
altogether  sui)erfluous. 

The  geographic  location  on  the  southern  border  of  Xorth 
America,  and  the  semi-tropical  climatic  conditions  of  Louis- 
iana fully  account  for  the  fact  that  at  one  period  of  the  year 
or  other,  at  least  one  third  of  the  species  of  the  entire  avi- 
fauna of  North  America  finds  refuge  within  her  precincts. 
The  avifauna  of  North  America  is  almost  distinctly  divided 
into  three  great  sections:  the  eastern,  or  Atlantic;  the  western, 
or  Pacific,  and  the  middle,  or  Mississippi  Valley  section. 
Each  is  more  or  less  distinct  from  the  other  in  certain  char- 
acteristics of  individual  species,  and  the  boundaries  of  these 
three  geographical  sections  are  sharply  defined  by  natural 
lines.  Louisiana  virtually  presents  the  southern  entrance  and 
exit  of  the  entire  Mississippi  Valley  section,  and  nearly  all 
those  birds  which  the  rigorous  climate  of  the  north  compels  to 
migrate  are  forced  to  pass,  either  through  the  state  on  their 
way  to  warmer  climates  north  of  the  equator,  or  [as  in  the 
case  of  the  majority]  may  be  invited  to  seek  and  find  secure 
winter  quarters  witliin  her  confines. 

The  physical  conditions  of  Louisiana  are  peculiar,  for  the 
more  elevated  ground  is  principally  on  the  banks  of  the  rivers. 
The  average  elevation  of  the  state  is  about  seventy-five  feet 
above  sea-level,  and  the  highest  i)arts  are  not  much  over  four 
hundred  feet.  Back  from  the  rivers  are  extensive  swamps, 
which  drain  the  arable  land,  and  the  larger  rivers  flow  through 
beds  of  alluvial  soil,  which,  in  width,  may  vary  from  one  to 
forty  miles.  The  maritime  coast  is  low  and  marshy,  lined  in 
its  fullest  extent  by  chains  of  low,  sandy,  or  sometimes  marshy 


islands,  and  especially  about  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi  by 
innumerable  islets.  The  swamps  extend  inland  from  ten  to 
nearly  fifty  miles,  and  the  rivers  or  bayous  often  aftbrd  the 
only  means  of  approaching  the  coast.  Louisiana  covers 
about  48,000  square  miles,. of  which  1,050  are  taken  up  by 
land-locked  bays,  1,700  by  inland  lakes  and  more  than  540  by 
river  surface.  This  peculiar  physical  condition  well  accounts 
for  the  fact  that  not  only  one-half  of  the  resident  birds,  but 
also  the  majority  of  winter  residents  are  water  birds. 

The  greater  part  of  water-broken  territory  constitutes 
what  we  will  call,  the  southern  portion  of  Louisiana,  lying 
between  the  29th  and  30 th  degrees  north.  The  western  part 
of  this  section,  between  the  92nd  degree  and  the  Sabine  river, 
is  principally  made  up  of  prairie-lands,  lined  along  the  coast 
by  salt-marshes.  The  eastern  part,  between  the  92nd  and 
89th  degrees,  contains  the  greater  part  of  the  water- broken 
land,  being  excessively  cut  by  rivers  and  bayous,  which  are 
often  only  secondary  outlets  for  larger  rivers  or  lakes,  fur- 
nishing thereby  the  means  of  drainage  in  flood  time.  Of 
course,  the  entire  southern  section  harbors,  by  far,  the  larger 
number  of  species  of  water-birds,  either  resident  or  migratory, 
to'be  found  in  the  State,  some  of  which  are  almost  completely 
confined  to  the  vicinity  of  the  gulf  waters. 

Central  Louisiana,  between  the  30th  and  32d  degrees 
north,  presents  a  more  varied  topography.  The  southern 
half  of  this,  including  the  whole  of  the  parishes  of  Calcasieu, 
Acadia,  Lafayette,  St.  Landry,  St.  Martin,  Iberville  and  part 
of  Avoyelles,  Kapides  and  Vernon,  is  of  a  generally  level  con- 
formation, excepting  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  where  it  is 
hilly,  and  contains  the  outrunners  of  the  pine  and  hard-wood 
forests  of  the  remaining  northern  portion  of  central  Louisiana. 

The  prairie  regions  of  our  state  are  unlike  most  of  those 
of  Texas  and  further  west,  devoid  almost  of  wood  and  water, 
but  are  intersected  by  streams,  along  whose  courses  generally 
a  very  luxuriant  growth  of  timber  constantly  exists.  It  is  for 
this  reason  that  the  avifauna  of  the  prairie  regions,  which,  as 
far  as  the  number  of  species  is  concerned,  would  be  a  very  lim- 
ited one,  is  greatly  augmented  by  forms,  which  otherwise 
would  be,  more  or  less,  restricted  to  the  woods  and  highlands. 

Northern  Louisiana,  between  the  32nd  and  33rd  degrees 
nortb,  and  even  the  upper  j^ortions  of  central  Louisiana,  as  far 
down  as  Red  liiver  Landing,  is  divisible  into  an  upland  and 
lowland  section,  Ouachita  river  being  the  dividing  line. 


The  lowla^iid  region,  between  the  Mississippi  and  the 
Ouachita,  is  alluvial,  and  therefore  of  recent  origin.  It  is  the 
product  of  these  two  rivers  as  well  as  the  Arkansas,  and  par- 
tially subject  to  inundation.  Heavy  cypress  swamps  along 
the  numerous  water-courses  alternate  with  hummock  lands, 
in  both  of  which  the  majority  of  land  birds  find  abodes,  either 
temporarily  or  permanently.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
banks  of  the  M  ississippi,  however,  quite  a  number  of  species  of 
waders  and  swimmers,  and  among  them  even  Terns,  etc.,  also 
spend  a  large  part  of  the  year  breeding  and  rearing  their 
young.  This  part  of  the  state,  therefore,  somewhat  resembles 
in  bird-life  the  coast  line  of  the  southern  section. 

Western,  or  rather  north-western  Louisiana,  between  the 
Ouachita  river  and  Texas  boundary,  contains  some  of  the 
highest  parts  of  the  state;  the  vegetation  consisting  of  both 
pine  and  hard-wood  timber,  the  former,  however,  predomi- 
nating. The  highland  is,  however,  in  some  x)arishes  greatly 
broken  up  by  numerous  large  lakes,  which  drain  into  Eed 
river.  This  applies  especially  to  Caddo,  Bossier,  Bienville 
and  De  Soto  parishes.  In  many  respects  the  avifauna  here 
corresponds  to  that  of  the  Floiida  parishes,  augmented,  of 
course,  by  more  western  forms. 

The  so-called  Florida  parishes,  which  now  remain  to  be 
considered,  constitute  the  entire  section  of  the  state  between 
the  30th  and  31st  degrees  north,  and  between  the  Mississippi 
and  Pearl  rivers,  east  and  west,  respectively.  The  topography 
of  these  parishes  combines  the  physical,  aspects  of  the  rest  of 
the  state  already  considered,  with  the  exception  of  the  prairie 
lands,  and,  possibly,  the  salt-water  marshes,  for  the  latter  are 
only  represented  in  a  modified  degree  along  the  borders  of 
lakes  Maurej)as,  Pontchartrain  and  Borgne.  Along  the 
courses  of  streams  only  alluvial  lands  with  heavy  cypress  and 
other  timber  exist,  while  nearly  all  the  rest  is  taken  up,  either 
by  pine-flats  or  i)ine-hills,  the  latter  extending  in  a  north- 
easterly direction;  the  former  occui)ying  the  central  and 
southern  j^arishes. 

The  highlands  of  north-wesl'ern  Louisiana  are  represented 
in  East  Feliciana  alone,  and  this  peculiarity  has  also  been 
recognized  by  a  few  si)ecies  of  birds,  which  have  made  tliis 
parish  their  breeding  i>lace  in  the  state,  east  of  the  Mississippi 
river. 

The  result  of  this  varied  toi)Ography  ot  the  Florida  par- 
ishes is:  that  with  the  exception   of  a  comparatively  small 


number  of  species,  nearly  every  bird  belonging  to  the  Miss- 
issippi Valley  section  may  be  found  within  their  precincts  at 
one  time  or  other  of  the  year. 

Before  entering  into  a  discussion  of  the  birds  of  our  state 
themselves,  it  will  yet  be  necessary  to  speak  of  some  points  of 
migration,  without  considering  the  reasons  which  originally 
prompted  birds  to  change  their  home  locations,  and  return  to 
them  with  such  exactness  and  regularity.  These  reasons,  I 
believe,  are  already  well  known,  bnt  the  two  movements  which 
occur  in  the  yearly  cycle  of  migration  are  so  characteristically 
different  from  each  other  that  they  are  deserving  of  some 
attention .  It  is  certainly  lair  to  assume  that  the  locality 
where  a  bird  raises  its  young  should  be  regarded  as  its  true 
home,  Avhence,  however,  it  may  be  driven  by  external  influ- 
ences, against  which  it  cannot  combat.  That  the  leaving  of 
the  beloved  spot,  where  its  conjugal  and  i^arental  pleasures 
found  their  culmination,  must  be  reluctant  is  self-evident; 
hence  the  gradual  and  dilatory  movements  during  tall  migra- 
tion. Inch  by  inch  and  mile  by  mile,  as  it  were,  the  birds 
are  driven  from  the  vicinity  of  their  homes,  until  finally, 
through  the  ever  increasing  rigor  of  climatic  conditions  and 
the  diminishing  food  su])ply,  they  are  compelled  no  longer  to 
posti)one  the  long  deferred  journey  to  distant  and  more  con- 
genial lands.  This,  I  think,  is  the  reason  that,  with  few 
exceptions,  migratory  birds  are  spread  over  a  larger  area,  and 
remain  in  greater  distribution  for  a  longer  i^eriod  during  the 
autumn  migration.  It  is  well  known  to  everyone  who  has 
studied  the  habits  and  peculiarities  of  birds  how  quickly  the 
migrant  can  be  told  irom  the  resident  of  the  same  species. 
The  resident  is  at  home;  the  migrant,  on  the  contrary,  ill  at 
ease,  and  ever  restless  and  silent.  With  the  change  of  season, 
the  delay  of  these  more  widely  scattered  fall  migrants  is  no 
longer  indulged  in.  The  love  of  home  becomes  the  all-pre- 
vailing desire,  and  although  storms  encountered  on  their 
journey  may  drive  them  back  again,  they  only  push  forward 
with  renewed  vigor,  and  nothing  short  of  death  will  deter 
them  from  again  reaching  their  nesting  places. 

Along  our  coast-line  there  are  various  stopping  places 
where,  after  a  long  and  uninterrupted  journey,  the  tired  and 
worn  birds  remain  for  a  few  days  to  reciuperate.  They  appear 
there  from  a  week  to  ten  days  earlier  than  they  will  be 
noticed  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  further  inland.  Grand, 
Timbalier,  Last  and  Avery's  Islands  afford  the  fatigued  trav- 
elers the   needed   rest,    and    while  many   species   and  indi- 


vidnals  pass  tliem  without  stopping  during  fall  migration, 
these  same  birds  are  sure  to  avail  themselves  of  their  hospi- 
tality on  their  homeward  journey  at  the  end  of  winter  and  at 
the  expiration  of  their  enforced  exile.  Of  course  these 
remarks  do  not  apply  to  all  migrants,  for  there  are  some 
species  which  are  laggards  in  all  their  movements,  and  others 
which  are  altogether  too  erratic,  and  which  will  posti)one  the 
fulfihnent  of  parental  duties  as  long  as  possible,  as  for  instance: 
the  Cedar-bird  {A^npelis  cedrortim  Yiel].),  which  does  not  com- 
mence breeding  until  nearly  all  other  birds  are  nearly,  or  al- 
together through  with  it. 

According  to  the  length  of  time  of  the  year  during  which 
a  sj^ecies  remains  within  certain  boundaries  it  may  be 
referred  to  one  of  five  divisions.  The  avifauna  proper  of  a 
state,  however,  consists  of  such  birds  which  not  only  breed 
within  her  jxrecincts,  but  also  remain  throughout  the  remain- 
der of  the  year  not  occupied  by  parental  duties.  These  birds 
constitute  the  ^'Kesidents." 

The  second  division  is  made  up  of  such  species  which, 
while  they  breed  in  the  state,  are  not  able  to  stand  the  changes 
of  temperature,  and  whose  food-supply  becomes  exhausted  (or 
at  least  diminished)  and  are  forced  to  migrate  to  warmer  cli- 
mates. Such  birds  are  "Summer  Residents."  Others  again, 
which  only  pass  the  winter  but  breed  in  another  locality,  are  re- 
garded as  "Winter  Residents,"  and  belong  to  the  third  divi- 
sion. 

If,  however,  birds  neither  breed  nor  winter,  and  only 
remain  for  a  short  period  in  spring  and  autumn,  they  are  con- 
sidered as  "Migrants." 

The  fifth,  and  smallest  proportion  of  the  birds  of  a  state, 
is  made  uj)  of  casual  and  rare  visitors,  which  occur  in  limited 
numbers,  or  even  singly  once  in  a  while,  and  upon  whose 
movements  within  the  locality  no  reliance  can  be  placed. 

Since,  however,  the  instinct  of  migration  is  so  strongly 
and  permanently  established  in  birds,  and  their  powers  of 
locomotion  so  adequately  developed,  no  positive  statement  of 
occurrence  or  permanent  record  of  the  number  of  species  for 
any  given  locality  can  be  made,  and  even  a  hyi)othetical  list, 
in  which  considerable  latitude  can  be  allowed,  may  be  sur- 
passed at  any  time. 

American  ornithology  (relating,  of  course,  only  to  cari- 
nated  birds)  is  divided  into  eighteen  orders.  Seventeen  of 
these  occur  in  the  United  States  and  Canada;  the  Spheniscij 


containing  but  one  family — the  Splieniscid®,  or  Penguins, 
and  belonging  to  the  southern  hemisphere — being  absent. 

Two  orders  only— the  TuUnares  and  Odontoglossw—HTii 
missing  in  Louisiana,  for  I  consider  it  doubtful  Avhether  the 
sole  representative  of  the  latter  (the  Flamingo)  may  b^  found 
in  our  state.  There  are,  so  far  at  least,  no  records,  and  those 
which  have  of  late  been  sprung  ui^on  the  ornithological  world 
are  lacking  in  proof,  and  come  from  observers  apparently 
very  little  inclined  towards  scientific  truth. 

The  remaining"  fifteen  orders  are  represented  by  54  fam- 
ilies, with  190  genera  and  323  species.  Of  these  32^  species, 
103  are  residents,  101  winter  residents,  47  summer  residents, 
57  migrants  and  15  casual,  or  rare  visitors. 

To  this  total  of  323,  nearly  40  species  should  be  added  as 
likely  to  occur,  either  regularly  or  casually,  for  while  we 
have,  so  far,  no  authentic  records,  the  range  of  some  species 
is  such  an  extensive  one  that  it  may  reach  into  our  limits. 
Some  species  are  known  to  be  common  within  a  few  miles  of 
our  state  lines,  as,  for  instance:  the  Prairie  Warbler  (Dendro- 
ica  discolor  YieU.J  which  is  fairly  numerous  at  Ariel,  Miss. 
The  topography  of  Louisiana  in  that  vicinity  is  identically  the 
same,  and  it  naturally  follows  that  the  bird  should  be  just  as 
common  in  our  state.  It  appears  to  me  iu  this  case,  but  an 
oversight  on  uiy  part  in  not  having  observed  or  taken  it,  and 
I  have  therefore  included  it  in  my  list. 

Both  divisions — the  eastern  as  well  as  the  western — may 
help  in  future  to  swell  our  list ;  in  fact,  from  the  latter  quite 
a  number  of  species  are  rei>orted  as  having  been  noted  or 
taken  in  Louisiana,  but,  unfortunately,  some  of  these  records 
cannot  be  trusted,  and  I  have  therefore  refrained  from  in- 
cluding: tliem  in  the  catalogue.  Of  course,  if  birds  are  natu- 
rally close  neighbors  to  a  locality  to  Avhich  they  do  not  belong, 
it  cannot  be  anything  unusual  for  them  to  occasionally  ex- 
tend their  habitat,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  the  api^earance  of 
those,  which  are  either  extreme  eastern  or  western  forms,  in 
a  place  far  removed  from  their  usual  haunts,  becomes  a  mat- 
ter of  some  imi)ortance  and  interest,  as,  for  instance:  the  oc- 
currence near  New  Orleans  of  the  Wheatesir  fSaxicol a  cenan- 
the  Linn),  which  is  really  a  European,  or  at  least  an  extreme 
North  American  non-migratory  species.  We  must,  in  such  a 
case,  at  once  ask  how  this  single  bird  safely  traversed  the 
long  distance  between  Greenland  and  this  point'  Other  birds, 
it  is  true,  do  the  same,  but  they  are  regular  migrants,  used 
to  their  voyages  by  inheritance  and  experience,  and  while 


they  travel,  do  so  in  company  with  otlicrs  of  their  kind.  This 
solitary  visitor,  however,  had  neither  gnide  nor  the  protec 
tion  which  is  afforded  by  iiiinibers.  When  fonnd  the  bird  did 
not  ai)pear  very  shy,  but  was  rather  contentedly  hoppin^i;- 
around  and  feeding-.  The  Surf  Dnck,  or  Scoter  fOedimia 
per sp ic i IJata  L.  J  iiwd  the  White-winged  Scoter  f^O.  deglandl 
Bonap.)  are  also  unusual  visitors,  but  these  species  have  been 
known  to  extend  their  migration  as  far  as  St.  Louis,  and  re- 
ally belong-  to  the  northern  Mississippi  Valley  section. 

I  have  omitted  from  my  list  a  number  of  sub-species, 
which  hav3^',  as  yet,  either  not  been  recognized  as  such,  or  whose 
identity  depends  upon  such  hair-splitting  characteristics  as, 
in  my  opinion,  do  not  entitle  them  to  the  dignity  of  such. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  annexed  catalogue  1  have  been 
greatly  assisted  by  ^Mr.  Gu!?tave  Kohn,  Mr.  H.  H.  Kopman  and 
Mr.  Andrew  Allison,  all  of  New  Orleans,  and  to  whom  I  extend 
herewith  my  sincere  acknowledgement  and  appreciation. 


^n 


ANNOTATED  LIST  OF  THE  BIRDS  OF  LOUISIANA. 


WATER  BIRDS. 


A— SWIHMERS. 


Order  PYGOPODES. 
Family  PODICIPID^. 

1.  Colymbus  auritus  Liim.     Horned  Grebe. 

A  winter  visitor  on  the  coast;  rarer  on  our  inland  waters. 

2.  Podilymbus  podiceps  Dinn.    Pied-hilled  Qrebe;  Hell-diver;  Dab- 

chick. 

Resident  and  breeding  in  many  sections,  but  more  com- 
mon on  all  waters  during  Avinter.  It  arrives  in  Louisiana  as 
migrant  at  the  end  of  October,  and  transients  leave  in  March 
and  April. 

Family  GAVIIDJ5. 

3.  Qavia  imber  Linn.    Loon. 

A  winter  resident;  common  on  Gulf  waters;  rarer  inland. 

Order  LONGIPENNES. 
Family  LARID^. 

4.  Larus  argentatus  smithsonianus  Cones.    American  Herring  Gull. 

Very  common  during  the  fall  and  winter  along  the  coast 
and  on  all  lakes  of  the  southern  portion  of  the  state. 

5.  Larus  delawarensis  Ord.    Bing-billed  Gull. 

Very  common  during  the  fall  and  winter,  and  frequent- 
ing the  same  localities  as  the  preceding.      ^ 

6.  Larus  atricilla  Linn.    Laughing  Gull. 

A  common  resident;  breeding  on  the  islands  along  tlie 
coast.     It  is  the  only  gull  which  may  be  met  with  on  the  in- 


12 

land  bayous  of  the  iiortbern  and  northwestern  parts  of  the 
state.  I  met  Avitli  it  August  22,  1896,  near  Columbia,  on  the 
Ouachita  river. 

7.  Larus  frankiinii  Sw.  &,  Rich.    FranUinh  Gull. 

A  regular  but  not  abundant  winter  resident  on  the  west- 
ern Gulf  coast,  as  far  east  as  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi. 

8.  Larus  Philadelphia  Ord.    Bonaparte's  Gull. 

Ajwinter  resident;  arriving  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
state  as  early  as  September,  leaving  again  in  April. 

9.  Qelochelidon  nilotica  Hasselq.     GuU-Mllcd  Tern. 

A  resident  along  the  Avestern  const  and  breeding  on  the 
islands,  but  rarely  coming  far  inland.  One  specimen  offered 
for  sale  in  the  French  Market,  Ncav  Orleans,  March  12,  1889. 

10.  Sterna  caspia  Pallas.     Caspian  Tern. 

A  common  resident  in  many  localities  on  the  Gulf  coast, 

11.  Sterna  maxima  Bodd.     Boijal  Tern. 

One  of  the  commonest  terns  of  the  state;  breeding  in  all 
suitable  localities  on  the  coast;  appearing  inland  toAvards  the 
end  of  summer,  when  it  is  exceedingly  common  on  lakes 
Pontchartrain,  Maurepas,  etc. 

12.  Sterna  sandwichensisacuflavida  Cabot.     Gabofs  Tern. 

A  common  but  not  an  abundant  resident  in  the  same  lo- 
calities as  the  preceding  species. 

13.  Sterna  forsteri  Nutt.    Forster's  Tern. 

Very  common  in  most  i)arts  of  the  southern  section  of  the 
state.  It  is,  however,  more  or  less  a  migrant;  more  numerous 
during  the  early  fall  months  than  at  any  other  period  of  the 
year.  One  was  taken  as  early  as  July  2,  [1896 J  in  Plaquemine 
parish. 

14.  Sterna  antillarum  Less.    Least  Tern. 

An  abundant  resident  in  Louisiana;  breeding  in  all  suit- 
able places  along  the  coast. 

15.  Sterna  fuliginosa  Gmel.    Sooty  Tern. 

A  common  resident  wherever  the  preceding  species  oc- 
curs. 

16.  Hydrochelidon  niger  surinamensis  Gmel.    Black  Tern. 

A  migrant  only;  very  common,  however,  during  migration. 

17.  Anous  stolidus  Linn.    Noddy. 

A  handsome  and  not  uncommon  resident  of  the  islands  of 
the  coast. 


13 
Family  RYNCHOPIDyE. 

18.  Rynchops  nigra  Linn.    Black  Skimmer. 
A  commou  resident  on  the  coast. 

Order  STEGANOPODE8. 

Family  SULIDiE. 
« 

19.  Sula  sula  Linn.    Booby. 

Of  this  species  only  a  few  notes  have  been  taken,  al- 
though its  frequent  occurrence  is  not  at  all  unlikely.  Two 
specimens  (males)  were  shot  during  September,  1884,  on  the 
Mississippi,  about  fifty  miles  below  New  Orleans. 

20.  Sula  bassana  Linn.     Gannet. 

An  occasional  winter  resident.  It  has  been  shot  several 
times  at  the  Eigolets  (a  male,  December  9,  1886). 

Family  ANHINGID^. 

31.    Anhinga  anhinga  Linn.    Snake-bird;    Water  Turkey;  Anhinga. 
A  common  resident  in  most  parts  of  the  state  w^herever 
large  bodies  of  water,  fringed  with  trees,  exist. 

Family  PHALACROCORACID^.: 

22.  Phalacrocorax  dilophus  Sw.  &  Rich.    Double-crested  Cormorant 
A  winter  resident  onlyj  not  at  all  common. 

23.  Phalacrocorax  dil6phus  floridanus  Aud.    Florida  Cormorant. 
Common  along  the  Gulf  coast;  breeding  wherever  it  occurs 

24.  Phalacrocorax  mexicanus  Brandt.    Mexican  Cormorant. 

A  very  common  resident  in  several  sections  of  the  state. 

Family  PELECANID^. 

25.  Pelecanus  fuscus  Linn.    Brown  Pelican. 

Very  common  along  the  Gulf  coast  as  well  as  on  the  lakes; 
breeding  in  large  numbers  on  the  Mississij^pi  delta  and  the 
islands. 

26.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchus  Gmel .     American  White  Pelican. 
A  winter  resident  only;  arriving  in  October  and  leaving 

during  the  latter  part  of  February. 

Family  FREGATIDiE. 

27.  Fregataaquila  Linn.    Frigate-bird;  Man- o^ -war  bird. 

A  resident  of  the  high  seas,  it  breeds  on  the  Gulf  coast, 
but  during  heavy   storms  is   frequently  blown   far  inland. 


14 

Three  were  shot  on   August  19,  1888,  almost  in  the  heart  of 
the  city  of  New  Orleans. 

Order  ANSERES. 

Family  ANATIDyE. 

28.  Herganser  americanus  Cass.    American  Merganser. 

A  winter  resident  and  fiiirly  common  on  the  coast;  rarely 
staying  for  jvny  length  of  time  on  our  inland  waters. 

29.  Merganser  serrator  Linn,     lied-hreasted  Mer(janscr ;   Bee  scie  cle 

Mer. 

A  winter  resident  only,  and  like  the  preceding,  preferring 
the  vicinity  of  salt  water  during  its  sojourn  in  the  state. 

80.    Lophodytes  cucullatus  Linn.    Hooded  Merganser;  Bee  scie. 

A  very  common  winter  resident.  !a.  few  may  even  breed 
in  the  state,  particularly  in  the  south-western  section. 

31.  Anas  boschas  Linn.    Mallard;  Canard  Francais. 

Probably  the  best  known  of  all  the  ducks.  It  is  a  regu- 
lar winter  resident  in  almost  every  part  of  the  state;  arriving 
in  November,  and  leaving  at  the  end  of  February  or  begin- 
ning of  March. 

32.  Anas  obscura  Gmel.    BlacJc  Mallard. 

A  winter  resident  only.  It  is  fairly  common  but  often 
confounded  with  the  following  species; 

33.  Anas  fulvigula  Ridgw.    Florida  DucJc;  Canard  des  Isles. 
A  constant  resident;  breeding  on  the  Gulf  coast. 

34.  Chaulelasmus  streperus  Linn      Gadwall;  Gray  Buck;  Canard 

Oris. 

A  very  common  winter  resident. 

35.  riarecaamericana  Gmel.     Bald-pate;  Zin-zin. 
Common  in  winter 

3G.    Nettion  carolinensis  Gmel.     Green- winged  Teal;  CongoUe. 

An  abundant  winter  resident;  arriving  towards  the  mid- 
dle of  October  and  leaving  early  in  March. 

37.    Querqueduladiscors  Linii.    Blue-winged  Teal;  Sareelle. 

Like  the  preceding,  a  winter  resident  only,  but  not  as 
.  abundant;   the  bulk  evidently  going  farther  south,    whence 
they  return  late  in  the  spring  (May  17  and  21,  1898),  and  are 
then  known  under  the  name  of  'Trintanieres." 


15 

38.  Querquedula  cyanoptera  Viell.     Oinuamon  Teal. 
Exoeodiiigiy  rare.     A  pair  were  shot  opposite  Poiiite-i\- 

la-Hache  in  December,  1884.     Another  imir  were  killed  dur- 
ing November,  ISOG,  on  Lake  Catawatchio.* 

39.  Spatula  clypeata  Liini.     Shorel-hill;  MiroiHc. 
A  common  winter  resident. 

40.  Dafila  acuta  Linn.    Fin-tail;  Faille  en  qneue. 
Very  common  in  winter. 

41.  Aix  sponsa  Linn.      WooO  Duck;  Branchu. 

An  abundant  resident  in  almost  every  i)art  of  the  state, 
breeding-  wherever  it  occurs. 

42.  Aythya  americana  Eyt.     JU'd-head;  Yiolon. 

A  common  winter  resident,  more  especially  in  the  south- 
ern sections. 

43.  Aythya  vallisneria  WlLs.     Canras-hacl:;  Canard  Cheva I. 

A  common  Avinter  resident.  Like  tlie  preceding  species, 
it  prefers  the  Gulf  coast  to  more  inland  waters. 

44.  Aythya  marila  Stejn.     Flue-bill;  For  grifi  de  Mer. 

A  winter  resident;  principally  on  the  Gulf  coast. 

45.  Aythya  affinis  Eyt     Lesser  Scaup;  Dos  gris. 

One  of  the  commonest  of  our  winter  residents. 

46.  Aythya  coUaris  Donov.    Flack  Duck;  Bing-Neek;  Canard  noir. 
An  abundant  winter  resident,  especially  on  the  Lake  and 

and  Gulf  shores. 

47.  Glaucionetta  clangula  americana  Bonap.    Golden  Eye. 

A  winter  resident,  but  not  common.  One  was  seen  by 
Mr.  H.  H.  Kopmann  on  May  5,  1890,  and  another  \'a.  fenmle] 
was  shot  on  June  15,  181)4,  by  Mr.  A.  B.  Blakemore,  on  Cat 
Island,  oft'  the  coast  of  Mississippi,  and  only  a  few  miles  east 
of  Louisiana. 

48.  Charitonetta  albeola  Linn.  Futterhall;  Fuffle-head;  Marionette 
A  common  winter  resident. 

40.    Clangula  hyemalis  Linn.     Long-tailed  Fuck;  Old  Squaw;   Cow- 
heen. 

An  accidental  visitor.  During  the  excessively  cold 
weather  of  1899,  accompanied  by  severe  snow-storms,  a  male 
in  full  winter  plumage  was  shot  on  Bayou  ]>arataria,  about 
twenty  miles  west  of  New  Orleans,  February  13.  Fortunately 
the  duck  was  preserved,  and  is  now  in  the  museum  of  Tulane 
University. 

*A  male,  in  almost  fuH  plumage,  was  obtained  on  Lake  Borgne  during 
January,  1900.     It  is  now  in  the  collection  of  Tulane  Museum. ^°G.  E.  B. 


16 

50.  Oidemia  perspicillata  Linn.    Surf  Scoter, 

A  rare  winter  visitor,  A  male  was  shot  on  Bayou  St. 
John,  near  Kew  Orleans,  March  20,  1890.  The  specimen  was 
mounted,  and  is  now  in  the  collection  of  Mr,  GustaveKohn,of 
New  Orleans. 

51.  Oidemia  americana  Sw.  &  Rich.    Blade  Scoter. 

An  accidental  visitor.  It  has  been  taken  near  Lake 
Oatlierine.     A  specimen  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Kohn. 

52.  Oidemia  deglandi  Bonap.     White-winged  Scoter. 

An  occasional  winter  visitor  on  the  Gulf  coastj  rarely  go- 
ing inland. 

53.  Erismatura  jamaicensis  Gmel.     Buddy  Duclc;  Martean. 
A  very  common  winter  resident. 

54.  Chen  caeruiescens  Linn.    Blue  Goose. 

A  common  Avinter  resident  along  the  Gulf  coast. 

55.  Chen  hyperborea  Pall .     Lesser  Snow  Goose. 
An  ahundaut  winter  resident  on  the  coast. 

50.    Chen  hyperborea  nivalis  Foist.     Greater  Snow  Goose. 

While  not  as  common  as  the  preceding,  considerable 
numbers  pass  the  winter  on  the  coast.  I  have  seen  them  as 
far  west  as  Vermillion  Bay,  when  they  were  traveling  east 
(January,  1894). 

57.  Anser  albifrons  gambeli  Haiti.     American  White-fronted  Goose. 
A  winter  resident.     It  generally  arrives  and  departs  with 

the  Snow  geese. 

58.  Branta  canadensis  Linn .     Canada  Goose. 

Like  the  x^receding  species  in  its  migrations,  it  is  one  of 
the  commonest  of  all  geese  in  the  New  Orleans  markets  dur- 
ing the  winter. 

59.  Branta  canadensis  hutchinsii  Sw.  &  Kich.    Hutchin''s  Goose. 
A  winter  resident;  common  on  the  coast. 

GO.    Branta  bernicia  Linn.     Brant. 

An  occasional  winter  visitor. 
61.     Dendrocygna  fulva  Gmel.    Fulvous  Tree  Buck. 

To  my  knowledge,  only  an  occasional  visitor  in  the  early 
fall.  Several  large  flocks  appeared  on  Lake  Catharine  during 
October,  1892,  when  a  number  of  them  were  shot.*  Several 
other  reports  have  been  received  from  various  places  along 
the  coast. 

*This  species  was  again  taken  in  January,  1900,  at  the  RigoIets.==G.  E.  B. 


02.    Olor  columbianus  Ord.     WhistHiKj  Swan.  ' 

A  winter  visitor.     Of  late  years  reports  of  the  occurrence 

of  this  and  the  folio wii)g  species  have  become  rare. 

C3.    Olor  buccinator  Rich.     Tnnnpcter  Swan. 

Of  the  two  swans,  this  species  is  the  commoner,  especially 

on  the  marshes  of  the  Mississip]>i  delta. 


B    WADERS. 


Order  IIERODIONES. 
Family  PLAT ALEIDtE. 

64.  Ajaja  ajaja  Linn.    Boscate  Spoonhill. 

A  resident  only  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  state, 
chiefly  in  Calcasieu  and  Cameron  parishes,  where  it  is  a  com- 
mon breeder,  according-  to  Mr.  Mcllhenny,  who  has  collected 
there  numerous  specimens  and  eggs.  Two  young  ones,  in  im- 
mature plumage,  were  shot  in  December,  1884,  on  the  Mississ- 
ippi river,  about  five  miles  below  New  Orleans. 

Family  IBIDID.E. 

65.  Quara  alba  Linn.     Whlfe  Ibis. 

A  common  resident  in  Louisiana,  especially  in  the  south- 
western section. 

66.  Ouara  rubra  Linn.     Scarlet  Ibis. 

I  have  never  seen  this  species  in  the  state,  although  it  is 
not  unlikely  that  it  occurs.  All  reports,  so  far,  will,  I  think, 
bear  verification.* 

67.  Plegadis  autumnalis  Hasselq.    Glossy  Ibis. 

A  resident  in  the  same  section s^as^the  Eoseate  Spoonbill, 
but  not  as  common  as  the  following  species. 

68.  Plegadis  guaranna  Linn.     White-faced  Glossy  Ibis. 
Resident  and  breeding  in  southwestern  Louisiana.     I  no- 
ticed several  small  flocks  on  Lake  Prieu,  Calcasieu  parish, 
during  Sei)tember,  1898. 

*l  have  Included  this  species  in  the  general  list  more  on  the  authority  of  Audu- 
bon, otherwise  it  should  really  be  placed  in  the  hypothetical  list.—G.  E.  B. 


18 

Family  CICONIID.E. 

69.  Tantalus  loculalor  Linn.     Wood  Ih is. 

A  resident  in  many  i)arts  of  the  state,  it  has,  ho^yever, 
entirely  disappeared  from  certain  localities,  where,  a  few 
years  ago,  it  was  abundant. 

Family  ARDEID^. 

70.  Botaurus  lentiginosus  Montag.    Bittern;  Garde-soMl. 

Resident  in  limited  numbers,  but  very  common  as  a  win- 
ter resident. 

71.  Ardetta  exilis  Gmel.     Least  Bittern;  Shyte  Polce, 

An  abundant  resident  in  all  marshy  sections  of  the  state. 

72.  Ardea  herodias  Linn.     Great  Blue  Heron;  Poor  Joe. 

A  resident  in  all  marshy  localities,  especially  along  the 
coast  and  on  the  borders  of  the  lakes. 

73.  Ardea  egretta  Gmel.     Great  White  Egret. 

An  abundant  resident  in  all  marshy  sections. 

74.  Ardea  candidisslma  Gmcl.    Snowtj  Bfjret. 

Once  exceedingly  common,  and  breeding  in  large  colonies 
in  all  swampy  parts  of  the  state,  this  species  has  been  nearly 
exterminated  of  late  years. 

75.  Ardea  rufescens  Gmel.    JReddish  Egret. 

A  common  resident  along  the  coast  during  summers  in 
the  southern  and  southwestern  parts,  but,  like  the  following, 
it  is  more  or  less  migratory  in  fall  and  winter. 

76.  Ardea  tricolor  ruficolis  Gosse        Louisiana  Egret;     Louisiana 

Heron. 
A  summer  resident  in  the  same  localities  as  the  preceding. 

77.  Ardea  coerulea  Linn .     Little  Blue  Heron,. 

The  most  common  of  all  the  Herons.  A  summer  resident; 
occurring  in  all  suitable  localities  and  in  almost  every  section. 

78.  Ardea  virescens    Linn.    Green  Heron;  Cap-cap. 

An  abundant  summer  resident  almost  everywhere  in  the 
state. 

79.  Nycticorax    nycticorax   nasvius  Bodd.      Black-croivned   Night 

Heron;  Gros  hec. 
A  common  resident 5  breeding  in  the  state. 

80.  Nycticorax  violaceous  Linn.     Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron. 
Exceedingly  common  in   summer  iu  marshy  localities; 

breeding  in  large  numbers. 


10 

Order  rALUDlCOL.E. 
Family  GRUIDyE. 
81.    Qrus  americana  Liun.     Whoopimj  Crane. 

Comiuoii  along-  the  coast  during  winter. 
83.     Qrus  mexicana  Muell.    Sandhill  Crane. 

A  resident  along  the  coast,  where  it  occurs  in  large  num- 
bers. 

Family  RALLID^. 

83.  Rallus  Elegans  And.     Kinfj  Bail. 

An  abundant  Avinter  resident,  and  much  esteemed  as  a 
game  bird.* 

84.  Rallus  crepitans  Gmel.     Clapper  Bail. 

A  very  common  resident  in  the  salt  marshes ;  breeding 
wherever  found. 

85.  Rallus  crepitans  saturatus  Eid^vv.    Louisiana  Clapper  Bail. 

A  resident  m  the  salt  marshes  of  the  coastj  so  far,  how- 
ever, only  a  few  specimens  have  been  secured,  the  species 
liaving  only  been  established  within  little  more  than  ten 
years. 

86.  Rallus  virginianus  Linn.     Virfjinia  Bail. 

A  common  winter  resident;  arriving  from  its  breeding 
places  rather  late  in  the  fall.  It  leaves  the  southern  section 
of  Louisiana  about  the  end  of  March, 

87.  Porzana  Carolina  Liun.     Carolina  Bail;  iSora. 

Like  the  preceding,  a  common  winter  resident;  arriving, 
however,  much  earlier  in  the  fall,  but  departing  In  the  spring 
about  the  same  dates. 

88.  Porzana  noveboracensis  Gmel.     Yellow  Bail;  Biee-field  Bail. 
leather  a  common  fall  and  winter  resident  throughout  the 

rice  producing  sections,  esi)ecially  along  the  Mississippi, 
where  hunting  dogs  very  frequently  catch  them  alive. 

89.  Porzana  jamaicensis  Gmel.    Black  Bail. 
Notwithstanding  continuous  efforts  made  during  the  last 

sixteen  or  seventeen  years,  I  have  never  obtained  tliis  species, 
although  it  undoubtedly  occurs  in  Louisiana.  Wherever  it 
does  occur,  it  is  not  ai)t  to  be  overlooked.  Throughout  Cen- 
tral America  it  is  very  common,  and  I  have  very  often 
obtained  four  and  five  in  a  sini>le  morning  hour. 

90.  lonornis  martinica  Linn.    Purple  Gallinule. 

One  of  Louisiana's  handsomest  birds.  It  is  an  abundant 
resident  in  all  marshy  sections;  breeding  wherever  it  occurs. 


20 

91.    Gallinula  galleata  Licht.     Florida  GaUimile;  Halle  Foule  cVeait. 
Oominon  resident;  breeding  principally  in  the  southern 
sections, 

93.    Fulica  americana  Ginel.    Coot;  Foule  cTeau. 
^^).lr-^:iter-  An  abundant^esident.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  a  few  remain 

throughout  tlie  year  and  breed.  1  liave  seen  them  in  small 
flocks  on  Lakes  Salvador  and  Catawatchie,  as  late  as  April 
26,  evidently  as  much  at  home  as  ever.* 

Order  LIMICOL.E. 

Family  PHAL AROPODID J^: . 

93.  Phalaropus  tricolor  Viell.     M-ilsonh  Fhalarope. 
Rather  an  unusual  migrant  in  spring. 

Family  RECURVIROSTRID^. 

94.  R#€urvirostra  americana  Gmel .     Avocet. 

A  migrant  only.  I  have  shot  but  one  specimen  [a  female, 
November  12,  J  889],  on  Bayou  St.  John,  near  New  Orleans, 
almost  on  the  identical  spot  where  Audubon  obtained  one  of 
his  si)eciinens. 

95.  tlimantopus  mexicanus  Muell.    Blaclc-neclied  Stilt. 

A  resident  in  some  sections  of  the  state;  more  generally 
distributed  during  the  fall  and  winter,  and  occurring  then  in 
localities  where  it  does  not  breed. 

Family  SCOLOPACID^. 

96.  Philohela  minor  Gmel.     Woodcock 

Very  common  during  winter  in  suitable  localities,  and 
breeding  in  isolated  places  in  various  sections  of  the  state.  I 
found  them  mating  in  the  middle  of  January,  1890,  a  few 
miles  from  Madisonville,  and  on  January  29th,  of  the  same 
year  my  dog  retrieved  a  young  one,  but  a  few  days  old,  near 
Covington.     It  is  very  common  in  winter  on  Avery's  Island. 

97.  Qalihiago  delicata  Ord.     WUson''s  Snipe. 

An  abundant  fall  and  spring  resident,  migratory,  how- 
ever, during  winter,  and  not  returning  until  the  end  of  Feb- 
ruary, when  it  remains  in  large  numbers  until  April. 

98.  Macrorhamphus  scolopaceus  Say.    Lonrf-hilled  Dowitcher;  Dor- 

meiul. 

An  abundant  winter  resident  along  the  coast  and  in  other 
suitable  localities. 

*nr.  Kopman  has  seen  them  stUI  later  (May  i8,  1898,)  in  Plaquemine 
parish. -=a.  E.  B. 


21 

99.  riacrorhamphus  griseus  Gmel.     lied- hreas fed  Snipe- 

A  winter  visitor;  often  associating  with  the  preceding. 

100.  Micropalama  himantopus  Bonap.     Stilt  Sandinpcr. 

This  species  occnrs  only  as  a  migrant  and  in  limited  num- 
bers. While  in  Louisiana,  it  generally  associates  with  other 
more  numerous  Sandpipers. 

101.  Tringacanutus  Linn.    Knot. 

Rare;  only  a  few  specimens  have  been  obtained  in  fifteen 
years  collecting. 

102.  Tringa  maculata  Viell.    Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

An  exceedingly  common  migrant.  To  our  Creole  sports- 
men^ this  and  several  other  species  are  known  under  the 
name  ^'Cliorook,"  and  sold  in  great  numbers  in  the  markets 
of  New  Orleans. 

103.  Tringa  fuscicollis  Viell.     White-rumped  Sandpiper. 

A  common  migrant;  corning  and  going  with  the  preceding 
species. 

104.  Tringa  bairdii  Cones.    Baird\s  Sandpiper. 

Not  as  common  as  the  preceding,  but  it  is  generally 
found  with  flocks  of  Pectoral  and  others. 

105.  Tringa  minutilla  Viell.     Least  Sandpiper. 
Very  common  during  migration. 

106.  Tringa  alpina  pacifica  Cones.    Bed-hacked  Sandpiper. 

A  winter  resident  along  the  Gulf  coast,  where  I  obtained 
it  in  January,  J  894,  on  Freshwater  Bayou,  Calcasieu  parish. 

107.  Ereunetes' pusillus  Linn.     Semipalmated  Sandpiper. 

A  very  common  migrant.  With  most  of  the  other  Sand- 
pipers it  is  commonly  found  on  the  mud-flats  of  the  lakes  and 
rivers. 

108.  Calidris  arenaria  Linn .     Sanderlimj. 

A  regular  migrant  on  the  coast;  at  times  very  common. 

109.  Limosa  fed oa  Linn .     Marbled  Godwit. 

A  migrant  and  winter  resident  on  the  coast. 

110.  Limosa  liaemastica  Linn .     liudsonian  Godwit. 

Migrates  southward  chiefly  through  the  interior.  Mr. 
Kohn  has  in  his  i)ossession  two  specimens,  one  of  which  was 
shot  at  Vinton,  Calcasieu  parish,  April  22,  1805,  the  other  he 
obtained  in  New  Orleans  September  27  of  the  same  year. 

111.  Totanus  melanoleucusGniel.     Greater  Yellow-lefjs. 

Fairly  common  as  a  migrant,  but  numbers  also  pass  the 
winter  on  the  coast. 


22 

112     Totanus  flavipes  Gmel.    Lesser  Yellow -legs. 

Ill  its  iiioveineuts,  much  like  the  preceding,  Jiiid  very 
common. 

113.     Helodromus  solitarius  Wils.      Solitary' Sandpiper;  Swee-Sweet 

An  abundant  migrant;  one  of  tlie  early  arrivals  in  Sei)- 
teinber,  but,  on  spring  migration,  sometimes  leaving  as  late 
as  the  beginning  of  May  [May  G,  1897]. 

114     Symphemiasemipalmata  inornata  Brewster.     Western  Willet; 
lell-Tale. 

A  common  resident  of  the  coast. 

115.    Bartramia  longicauda  Bechst.  Bartram^s  Sandpiper;  Papahotte. 

An  abnndant  fall  and  spring  migrant;  eagerly   hunted 
and  liighJy  prized  in  lower  Louisiana  as  a  game  bird.      It  ar- 
rives from  its  breeding  places  as  early  as  the  middle  of  Jnly, 
and  leaves  in  spring  ns  late  as  May  20 
lie.    Tryngites  subruficollis  Viell.    Buff-breasted  Sandpiper. 

Excepting  on  the  coast-line,  where  it  is  said  to  be  abund- 
ant in  winter,  this  species  must  be  regarded  as  a  rare  migrant 
in  other  parts  of  the  state.  I  have  obtained  it  but  once  in 
Louisiana  [October,  1887],  when  I  secured  two  specimens  out 
of  a  flock  of  eight,  on  the  so-called  Racket-greens  near  New 
Orleans. 

117.  Actitis  macularia  Linn.    Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Very  common  as  a  migrant,  but  numbers  remain  to 
breed.  I  liave  found  it  breeding  along  most  of  the  old  drain- 
age canals  of  New  Orleans. 

118.  Numenius  longirostris  Wils.     Lon{/-l)illed  Curlew;  Corhigeau. 
A  common  winter  resident;  especially  on  the  coast. 

119.  Numenius  borealis  Forst.    Eslimo  Curlew. 

A  migrant  only;  very  common  for  a  short  while  in  fall 
and  spring. 

120.  Numenius  hudsonicus  Lath .     Rudsonian  Curlew . 

A  migrant  in  most  parts  of  the  state,  but  resident  along' 
the  coast  in  winter. 

Family  CHARADRIIDiE. 

121.  Charadrius  squatarola  Linn.    Blaelc-hellied  Plover. 

A  rare  bird  in  most  parts  of  the  state.  I  noticed  a  flock 
of  twelve  or  fifteen  on  the  2nd  of  March,  1890,  at  Pointe-a-la- 
Ilache.  I  have  been  informed  that  it  is  common  on  the  south- 
west coast  of  the  state. 


23 

123.     Charadrius  dominicus  Mucll.     (ioldcn  I'Un-er. 
Fairly  coininon  during  miftratioTi. 

123.  Aeglalitis  vocifera  Linn.    Killdeer. 

In  limited  numbers  resident  tlirougliout  the  state  during 
the  summer,  but  a  most  abundant  winter  resident  along  the 
coast  and  on  the  banks  ot*  the  Mississippi. 

124.  Aegialitis  wilsonia  Ord.     T17/,vo/i'.9  Plover. 

A  common  resident  and  breeding  on  the  coast. 

125.  Aegialitis  semipaimata  Bonap.    Semipalmated  Plover. 
Exceedingly  common  during  migration;  numbers  winter- 
ing along  the  coast. 

126.  Aegialitis  meloda  Ord.    Piping  Plover. 

A  rare  migrant.  I  obtained  but  one  specimen  among  a 
flock  of  Semipalmated  in  October,  1893,  on  LakePontchartrain . 

127.  Aegialitis  meloda  circumcincta  Rid^.    Belted  Piping  Plover. 
This  sub-species  of  the  Piping  Plover  is  not  as  abundant 

during  migration  as  the  Semipalmated,  yet  fairly  large  flocks 
may  be  seen  on  the  mud-flats  of  Lake  Borgne  and  along  the 
coast. 

128.  Aegialitis  nivosa  Cass.    Snowy  Plover. 

Kare,  except  along  the  coast,  where  it  occurs  during 
some  seasons  in  fairly  large  numbers. 

Family  APHIilZID^.  * 

129.  Arenaria  interpres  Linn.     Turnstone. 

Fairh^  common  on  the  coast  throughout  the  year. 

Family  HiKMATOPODIDJ^. 

130.  Haematopus  palliatus  Teuni.    American  Oyster-catcher. 
A  common  resident  on  the  coast. 


LAND  BIRDS. 


Order  GALLING. 

Family  TETRAONIDiE. 

131.    Colinus  virginianus  Linn.    Jiob-white;  Quail. 

An  abundant  resident  everywhere  in  the  state. 


24 

133.  Tympanuchus  americanus  Reich.    Prairie  Chicken. 
Resident  and  breeding  only  in  the  sonthwestern  portion 

of  the  state. 

Family  PHASIANID^. 
133     Meleagris  gallopavo  fera  Viell.     Wild  Turkey. 

Resident  and  breeding  in  many  sections  of  the  state. 
Order  COLtJMB^. 
Family  COLUMBID^. 

134.  Ectopistes  migratorius  Linn.    Passenger  Pigeon. 

An  occasional  visitor  dnring  severe  winters,  and  then 
only  in  small  numbers. 

135.  Zenaidura  macroura  Linn.     Carolina  Dove. 

An  abundant  resident  in  every  part  of  the  state. 

136.  Columbigallina  passerina  terrestris  Chapman.     Ground  Dov^. 
A  resident,  but  it  cannot  be  said  to  be  a  common  bird  at 

all  times. 

137.  Melopelia  leucopteraLinn.     White-ringed  Dove . 

This  bird  has  been  twice  reported  to  me  from  Grand 
Island;  once  during  May  1894,  and  the  second  time  during 
August  1895.  They  were  shot  on  both  occasions,  but  on 
account  of  the  heat  could  not  be  kept  for  preservation  by  the 
liunter. 

Order  RAPTORES. 
Family  CATHARTIDiE. 

138.  Cathartes  aura  Linn.     Turkey  Buzzard. 
An  abundant  resident  everywhere. 

139.  Catharista  urubu  Viell.    Black  Vulture;  Carrion  Crow. 

Like  the  preceding  species,  an  abundant  resident  in  all 
parts  of  the  state. 

Family  FALCONIDil^:. 

140.  Elanoides  forficatus  Linn.    Swallow-tailed  Kite. 

In  some  sections  a  fairly  common  summer  resident;  princi 
pally  along  the  bayous.  During  the  early  part  of  September, 
it  may  be  seen  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Pontchartrain,  Lake 
Borgne,  etc.,  in  flocks  of  fifteen  or  twenty  individuals. 

141.  Elanus  leucurus  Viell.     White-tailed  Kite. 

An  accidental  visitor.  On  October  11,  1890,  I  shot  one 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  opposite  Kenner.  This 
is,  to  my  knowledge,  the  only  record  for  Louisiana. 


142.    Ictinia  mississippiensis  Wils.    Mississippi  Kite. 

A  common  summer  resident  in  almost  every  part  of  the 
state. 

143      Circus  hudsonius  Liuii.    Marsh  Hawk. 

A  common  resident;  especially  on  the  prairies. 

144.  Accipitervelox  Wils.     Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 

Chiefly  a  winter  resident,  but  I  have  fouud  it,  as  well  as 
the  following  species,  nearMadisonville,  St.  Tammany  parish, 
in  August  [Aug.  5,  1890]. 

145.  Accipiter  cooperl  Bonap.     Cooperh  Hawk. 

A  winter  resident.  I  shot  a  female  August  2,  and  a  male 
August  11,  1890,  on  the  so-called  Pine  Island,  near  Madison- 
ville. 

146.  Parabuteo  unicinctus  harrisi  Aud.    Harris's  Hawk. 

While  I  have  never  met  with  this  hawk,  several  parties 
have  reported  it  as  common  on  the  coast  and  some  of  the 
larger  islands. 

147.  Buteoborealis  Gmel.     Bed-tailed  Hawk;   Grand  Mangeur  de 
Foulets. 

A  common  winter  resident. 

148.  Buteo  borealis  kriderii  Hoopes.  .  Kriderh  Hawk. 
Not  common  during  winter. 

149.  Buteo  borealis  harlani  Aud-    Harlan.s  Hawk. 

This  hawk  is  said  to  breed  in  Louisiana,  but  I  have  only 
found  it  during  winter,  when  it  is  not  uncommon. 

150.  Buteo  lineatus  Gmel.    Bed-shouldered  Hawk. 
A  Aviuter  resident  only. 

151.  Buteo  lineatus  alleni  Ridgw.     Florida  Bed- shouldered  Hawk. 
One  of  the  commonest  hawks;  resident  and  breeding 

throughout  the  state. 

152.  Buteo  latissimus  Wils-    Broad-ioinged  Hawk. 
A  fairly  common  resident  and  breeding. 

153.  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  Gmel.     American  Bough- 
legged  Hawk. 

A  not  uncommon  winter  resident. 

154.  Haliaetus  leucocephalus  Linn.    Bald  Eagle. 
Eesident  and  breeding  in  various  parts  of  the  state. 

155.  Falco  peregrinus  anatum  Bonap.     Duck  Haivk. 

A  common  winter  visitor;  especially  frequenting  the 
marshes  of  the  Mississippi  delta,  where  it  preys  largely  upon 
ducks  and  coots. 


156.  Faico  columbarius  Linn.    Pigeon  Hmvlc. 

A  winter  resident,  but  never  as  common  as  the  other 
hawks. 

157.  FaIco  sparverius  Linn.     Sparrow  Hawl. 

A  very  common  resident  every wheie  ia  the  statej  breed- 
ing throughout  its  range. 

158.  Polyborus  cheriway  Jacq.    Audubon'' s  Caracara. 

Only  found  along  the  extreme  Gulf  coast,  west  of  the 
Mississippi^  fairly  common,  however,  wherever  it  occurs. 

159.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  Gmel.     Amcrwan  Osprey. 
This  species  occurs  pretty  much  over  the  entire  state. 

It  is,  however,  more  common  in  the  southern  half,  where  it 
breeds  along  the  shores  of  lakes,  etc. 

Family  STRIGID^E. 

160.  StrixpratincoIaBonap.    American  Barn  Owl. 

A  fairly  common  resident  in  almost  every  section. 

Family  BUBONID^. 

161.  Asio  wilsonianus  Less.    Lonq -eared  Owl- 

Said  to  be  a  resident,  but  I  have  found  it  to  occur  only 
during  winter,  and  then  by  no  means  very  common. 
163.     Asio  accipitrinus  Pall.     Short-eared  owl. 

A  fall  and  winter  resident;  nuich  commoner  than  the  pre- 
ceding species,  especially  frequenting  the  prairies;  liying  low 
over  the  ground  in  daytime. 

163.  Syrnium  nebulosum  Forst.    Barred  Owl. 

I  believe  that  this  owl  occurs  only  duriug  the  winter  in 
Louisiana;  leaving,  as  a  rule,  early  in  February  and  March. 

164.  Syrnium  nebulosum  alleni  Ridgw.     Florida  Barred  Owl. 
An  abundant  resident  throughout  the  state. 

165.  Nyctala  acadica  Gmel.    Saw-whet  Owl. 

I  know  of  only  one  specimen  occurring  in  this  state,  al- 
though it  may  be  a  regular  but  rare  winter  visitor.  The  speci- 
men in  question  was  shot  during  December,  1889,  near  Madi- 
son vilie.  The  party  who  had  killed  it  had  nailed  it  against 
the  side  of  his  house,  where  I  saw  the  remnants  almost  com- 
pletely destroyed,  during  January,  1890. 

166.  Megascops  asio  floridanus  Ridgw.    Florida  Screech  Owl. 
A  common  resident  throughout  the  state. 


27 

1G7.     Bubo  virginianus  Gincl.     (heat  Horned  Owl. 

A  resident  tbroiigliout  tbe  state;  abundtuit  in  some  sec- 
tions, especially  in  the  pine-hills  of  the  eastern  parishes. 
1G8.     Nyctea  nyctea  Linu.     Snowtj  Owl. 

Mr.  Kohn  iufoims  me  that  many  years  ago  a  specimen  of 
this  owl  was  shot  at  Baton  Eouge.  From  another  less  reli- 
able source  [on  account  of  possibly  mistaken  identity]  I  have 
the  record  of  one  being  shot  at  Bayou  des  AUemands,  during 
the  winter  of  1878-1879 . 
im.    Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogeaBonap.     JJurrowiny  Owl. 

It  has  been  only  recently  that  I  have  been  able  to  confirm 
a  few^  previous  reports  as  to  the  occurrence  of  this  bird  in  Lou- 
isiana, but  from  the  accounts  received  from  Jackson,  it  is 
(piite  numerous  on  the  x>rairies,  and  it  undoubtedly  breeds 
there  as  well.  A  specimen  [a  male]  received  from  Jackson, 
was  shot  there  November  21,  1898. 

Order  PSITTACI. 
Family  PSITTACIDyE. 

170.  Conurus  carolinensis  Linn.     Cfirolina  Paroquet. 

It  is  extremely  doubtful  whether  this  bird  should  still  be 
regarded  as  a  Louisiana  species.  During  sixteen  years  of 
collecting  and  observation,  in  almost  every  section  of  the 
state,  I  have  never  obtained  either  specimen  or  data,  and  in 
localities  which  I  have  thought  likely  to  be  still  its  habitat, 
the  people  did  not  know  that  a  paroquet  had  ever  existed  in 
Louisiana.  Tulane  museum  possesses  a  specimen,  which  was 
undoubtedly  collected  in  Louisiana,  but  when  or  where  I 
have  been  unable  to  determine. 

Order  COCCYGES. 
Family  CUCULlDyE. 

171.  Crotophaga  ani  Linu.    Am. 

So  far,  but  one  specimen  has  been  secured  in  the  state, 
notwithstanding  that  it  has  been  several  times  reported  from 
Plaquemine  and  St.  Bernard  parishes.  One  of  three  individ- 
uals was  shot  by  a  colored  man  near  Diamond,  IMaquemine 
parish,  on  July  29,  1893,  and  given  by  him  in  the  flesh  to  Mr. 
IT.  L.  Ballowe.  The  specimen  is  now  in  the  collection  of 
Tulane  museum. 


38 

172-     Crotophaga  sulcirostris  Swaius.     Groove-hilled  Ani. 

An  occasioual  visitor  to  the  southern  part  of  the  state. 
A  specimen  taken  near  New  Orleans  several  years  ago  is  in 
the  collection  of  Tulane  Museum. 

173.  Ceccygus  minor  Gmel.     Mamjrove  Cucloo. 

This  species  is  claimed  to  occur  along  the  coast,  but,  so 
far,  I  have  no  confirmation. 

174.  Coccygus  americanus  Linn .     Yellow -billed  Cuckoo. 

An  abundant  summer  resident  throughout  the  state. 

175.  Coccygus  erythrophthalmus  Wils.     Blaelc-hilled  Cuclwo. 
A  si:)ring  and  fall  migrant,  and  never  common. 

Family  ALCEDINID^. 

176 .  Cery le  alcy on  Linn .    l^elted  Kingjisher . 

A  common  resident  throughout  the  state. 

Order  PIOI. 
Family  PICIDiE. 

176.     Campephilus  principalis  Linn      Ivory-hilled  Wood^ecler. 

A  rare  resident  in  a  few  sections  of  the  state.  From 
reliable  sources  I  am  informed  that  it  is  not  uncommon  along 
Bayou  Mason,  Franklin  parish.  Most  of  the  reports  are? 
however,  referable  to  the  ^^Log-cock."* 

178.  Picus  villosus  audubonii  Swains.  Southern  Hairy  Woodjieeker. 
A  common  resident  in  all  parts  of  the  state  where  timber 

exists. 

179.  Picus  pubescen3  Linn.     Downy  Woodpecker. 

Wherever  the  preceding  species  is  found,  this  will  also 
occur. 

180.  Picus  borealisViell.     Red-cockaded  Wood2)ecker. 

This  is  essentially  a  bird  of  the  pine- woods ;  abundant, 
especially  in  the  pine  flats  of  St.  Tammany,  St.  Helena,  Tan- 
gipahoa and  like  parishes.  In  northwestern  Louisiaiui  it  is 
not  quite  so  common,  and  in  the  southwestern  parts  it  does 
not  occur. 

181.  Sphyrapicus  varius  Linn .     Yellow-hellied  Woodpecker. 

A  common  winter  resident  in  almost  all  parts  of  the  state. 

182.  Ceophloeus  pileatus  Linn.     Fileated  Woodpecker;  Log-cock. 

A  common  resident  in  all  wooded  parts  j  preferring  heavy 
timber  to  the  open  pine  woods. 


*This  species  has  since  been  found  in  limited  numbers  in  a  swamp  in  Frank- 
arish;  the  author  ha 
in  July,  1899.— G.  E.  B. 


lin  parish;  the  author  having  procured  seven  specimens  and  one  nest  in  that  locality 
■    July,  i8(  


•29 

183.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  Linn.      Bed-lieaded  Woodpeckei\ 
An   abiiiuUmt  siiniiner    resident,   but  numbers   remain 

tlirougiiout  the  year. 

184.  Melanerpes  carolinus  Linn      Eed-hellied  Woodpecker. 
An  abundant  resident. 

185.  Colaptes  auratus  Linn .      Golden-winged  Woodpecker;  Flicker. 
A  common  resident  in  almost  every  section  of  tlie  state. 

Order  MACROCHmES. 

Family  C APIILMULGID^ . 

186.  Antrostomus  carolinensis  Gmel.     Cliuck-wilVs-widow. 

A  summer  resident  only  j  arriving  in  Louisiana  about  the 
middle  of  April,  and  leaving  about  the  end  of  August  or  early 
in  Sei^tember.  It  is  fairly  common  and  breeds  throughout 
its  range. 

187.  Antrostomus  vociferus  WiLs.     Whippoorwill. 

A  summer  resident  only  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
state,  but  occuring  further  south  during  the  winter. 

188.  Chordeiles  virginianus  Gmel.    Night  Hmvk. 

An  abundant  summer  resident;  known  throughout  the 
state  as  "BuUbat."'  The  new  sub-species  fCordeiles  virgin- 
ianus  chap7nani  Sennet)  has,  so  far,  not  been  taken  by  me. 

Family  MICROPODID^. 

189.  Chaetura  pelagica  Linn.     Ghimney  Swift. 

An  abundant  summer  resident;  arriving  from  its  winter 
quarters,  in  almost  all  of  the  Central  American  states,  in  the 
beginning  of  March. 

Family  TROCHILIDiE, 

190.  Trochilus  colubris  Linn.    E ah i/- throated  Humming  Bird. 

A  common  summer  resident,  but  during  mild  winters  a 
few  remain  within  our  precincts. 

Order  PASSERES. 
Family  TYRANNID^. 

191.  Milvulus  forficatus  Gmel.     Sei ssor -tailed  Fly catclier . 

This  species  can  only  be  regarded  as  an  occasional  vis- 
itor, especially  during  the  fall  months.  The  last  note  I  have 
of  its  occurrence  is  October  G,  1889,  when  I  saw  a  flock  often 
near  Kenner. 


30 

192.  Tyrannus  tyrannus  Linn.    Kinghird;  Gros  Grassct 
An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breedinu'. 

193.  riyiarchus  crinitus  Linn.     Great  Crested  Flycatcher. 
A  common  summer  resident.     Breeding. 

194      Sayornis  phoebe  Lath.    Plmhe;  Fewec. 

A  common  resident  in  Avinter.     So  far,  tlie  earliest  date 
of  arrival   is   September  25  j  the  latest  date  of  departure, 
April  2fi. 
195.    Contopus  borealis  Swains.     Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

A  spring  and  fall  migrant;  not  very  common.     Mr.  H.  L. 
Ballo\ye  secured  one  at  Diamond,  Aug.  31,  1894. 
193      Contopus  virens  Linn.     Wood  Fewee. 

A  common  summer  resident;  breeding.  The  earliest  date 
of  arrival  at  New  Orleans  station  is  March  27,  1897,  and  the 
latest  date  of  departure,  October  2(>,  189G. 

197.  Empidonax  flaviventris  Baird.     Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 
A  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  tolerably  common. 

198.  Empidonax  virescens  Viell.    Acadian  Flycatcher. 

A  common  summer  resident  in  almost  all  parts  of  the 
state;  breeding  throughout  its  range.  It  arrives  in  April 
(Aprd  8,  1808)  and  leaves  in  October  (October  10,  1898). 

199.  Empidonax  traillii  ainorum  Brewster.    Alder  Flycatcher. 
Fairly  common  during  spring  and  fall  migration. 

200.  Empidonax  minimus  Baird.    Least  Flycatcher. 

Like  the  preceding,  only  a  migrant;  fairly  common. 

Family  ALAUDID^. 

201.  Otocoris    alpestris  Linn       Horned  Lark. 

This  species  probably  occurs  only  as  an  accidental, 
rather  than  a  regular  winter  visitor.  Mr.  Kolin  secured  it 
January  0,  1879,  on  the  lake  shore,  at  Mandeville.  A  num- 
ber of  them  were  seen. 

Family  CORVlDyl^. 

202.  Cynanocitta  cristata  Linn.     Fine  Jay. 

An  abundant  resident  throughout  the  state. 

203.  Corvus  americanus  An(L     (Jommon  Crow. 
A  common  resident. 

204.  Corvus  ossifragus  WiLs.    Fish  Crow. 

An  abundant  re:sident  in  the  state;  especially  in  the 
soutliern  part.     Breeding  wherever  it  occurs. 


31 

.       Family  ICTEIUD.E. 

205.     Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  Linn.  ''  JioboUnk. 

Ivatlier  an  irrogiilar  bird  in  its  movements,  but,  now  and 
tben,  occurring  in  immense  flocks  during  migration.  Tiie  ear- 
liest date  of  arrival  within  our  limits  was  April  4,  1890,  when 
I  saw  two  on  Avery's  Ishmd.  On  May  20,  181H),  I  secured,  on 
the  shore  of  Lake  Pontcliartrain,  k  female  in  full  i^lumage  and 
with  ovaries  fully  developed.  I  shot  her  carrying  a  piece  of 
dried  grass. 

200.    Molothrus  ater  Bodd.     Coir-hird. 

An  abundant  winter  resident.*  A  smaller  resident  form 
has  been  reported  to  me  by  Mr.  H.  II.  Kopman,  as  breeding  in 
St.  James  and  !St.  Mary's  parishes.  This  form,  however,  may 
prove  to  be  M.  ater  ohscurus  Gmel.— Dwarf  Cow-bird. 

207.  Xanthocephafus  xanlhocephalus  Bonap.     YeUow-headed  Black- 
bird. 

A  winter  resident  in  the  southwestern  i)arts  only, 
especially  in  Cameron  i»arish.  It  has  never,  to  my  knowledge, 
been  noted  as  occurring  in  this  state,  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Mississippi. 

208.  Agelaius  phoeniceus  Linn.     Iicd-trhir/ed  Blachhird;  Biee-hird. 

An  al)undant  resident  nearly  throughout  the  state;  breed- 
ing abundantly  along  the  watercourses  and  sea  coasts  of  the 
southern  section. 

209.  Sturnella  magna  Linn.    Field-lark. 

A  common  resident  all  over  the  state. 
210      Icterus  spurius  Linn.     Orchard  Oriole;  Fape  de  Prairie. 

A  common  summer  resident;  breeding  wherever  it  occurs. 

211.  Ict^us  galbula  Linn.     Bcdtimore  Oriole;  Pape  Anrore. 
Fairly  common  during  spring  and  fall  migration  in  most 

parts  of  the  state.     It  is  also  a  summer  resident;  breeding  in 
East  Feliciana  and  northward. 

212.  Scolecophagus  carolinus  MuclL  Knfitii  lUackhird;  RusUj  Grackle. 
An  abundant  Minter  resident;  remaining  until  late  into 

spring  (May  2,  1897). 

213.  Scoleophagus  cyanocephalus  Wagl.    Brcwcr\^  Blackbird. 
Although  a  AVestern  species,  it  is  not  of  unusual  occur- 
rence during  the  winter  in  flie  southern  part  of  the  state.     I 
have  noted  and  taken  it  on  several  occasions. 

*Diiring  the. summer  of  1899  I  found  this  species  a  common    breeder  in  north- 
ern Franlclln  Parish.a.  E.  B. 


32 

214.  Quiscalus  quisculaLinn.     Purple  Graclde. 

Eesident  and  breeding,  but  rather  locally  confined.  I 
have  noted  it  commonly  in  East  and  West  Baton  Rouge  and 
St.  Tammany  parishes. 

215.  Quiscalus  quiscula  aglasus  Bnird.     Florida  Graclde. 

A  common  resident  and  breeding.  Of  tlie  three  (Irackles 
it  is  the  commonest  in  the  state. 

216.  Quiscalus  quiscula  aeneus  Ridgw.    Bronzed  Graclde. 
Resident  and  breeding,     I  have  found  this  sub-species,  as 

well  as  the  two  preceding,  breeding  in  the  gum  swamps  on 
the  edge  of  the  lake  marshes  uear  Madisonville,  St.  Tammany 
X^arish. 

217.  Quiscalus  major  Viell.     Boat-tailed  Graclde. 

An  abundant  resident  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  state, 
especially  in  the  marshes. 

Family  FRINGILLID^- 

218.  Carpodacus  purpureus  Ginel.     Purple  Flvcli. 

A  regular  Avinter  resident  in  most  parts  of  the  statej  com- 
mon, however,  onlj>  during  severe  winters, 

219.  Astragalinus  tristis  Linn.    American  Goldfinch. 

An  abundant  winter  resident,  especially  during  severe 
winters. 

220.  Astragalinus  pinus  Wils.    Pine  Sisldn. 

A  fairly  regular  winter  resident  throughout  the  pine- 
woods  parishes. 

221.  Passer  domesticus  Linn.    English  Sparrow. 

Has  now  fairly  taken  possession  of  that  section  of  the 
state  along  the  Mississippi  river,  but  the  northeastern  and 
northwestern  portions  seem,  as  yet,  to  be  free  from  it. 

222.  Pooecetes  gramineus  Gmel.      Vesper  Sparrow. 

•  A  fairly  common  winter  resident;  arriving*  in  September, 
although  one  record  is  as  early  as  August  5  (1893). 

223.  Ammodramus  sandwichensis  savanna  Wils.  Savanna  Sparrow. 
An  abundant  winter  resident  throughout  the  state. 

224.  Ammodramus  savannarum  passerinus  Wils.        Grasshopper 
Sjxirrow. 

This  little  sparrow  is  an  abundant  summer  resident  in  all 
parts  of  the  state,  and  its  quaint  song  may  be  heard  almost 
throughout  the  year;  for  even  during  some  winters  it  is  quite 
common. 


33 

225.    Ammodramus   leconteii  And.    Le  Gonte's  Svarrow. 

A  Avinter  resident.  I  have  found  it  rather  common  on 
Avery^s  Ishmd  during-  January. 

23C.    Ammodramus  caudacutus  Gmel.     Sharif-tailed  Sparrow. 

Common  in  the  salt-marshes  of  the  coast.  I  have  found 
it  quite  common  on  the  so-called  "floating  prairies"  of  Lajie 
Pontchartrain . 

227.    Ammodramus  maritimus  Wils.     Seaside  Sparrow. 

Very  common  on  the  coast,  especially  in  the  salt-marshes? 
and  on  the  borders  of  the  lakes. 

238.    Chondestes  grammacus  Say.    Lark  Finch. 

Although  rather  more  of  a  western  i)rairie  form,  this  si)e- 
cies  has  been  found  quite  common  in  several  parts  of  the  state, 
and  is  a  fairly  regular  breeder.  It  has  been  obtained  in  Madi- 
son and  Plaquemine  parishes . 

229.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys  Forst.     White-crowned  Sparrow. 

While  this  species  is  a  regular  winter  resident  in  Louisi- 
ana, it  cannot  be  regarded  as  very  common . 

230.  Zonotrichia  albicollis  Gmel.     White-throated  Sparrow. 

A  much  more  abundant  winter  resident  than  the  preceding 
species. 

231.  Spizella  socialis  Wils.     Chipping  Sparrow. 
Kesident  in  the  pine- woods;  abundant  in  winter. 

232.  Spizella  pusilla  Wils.     Field  Sparrow. 

A  common  winter  resident;  chiefly  in  the  pine-woods. 

233.  Junco  hyemalis  Linu.    Jiineo)  Slate-colored  Snow-bird. 

A  regular,  but  not  common  winter  resident.  Mr.  Otto 
Wideman  reported  it  to  me  from  Mandeville  on  March  2, 1897. 

234.  Peucaea  aestivalis  bachmanii  And.    Baclimanh  Sparrow. 

This  species,  although  not  uncommon  in  the  pine-woods, 
seems  to  select  its  habitat  with  more  care  than  any  other  spe- 
cies of  sparrow  that  I  know  of  I  have  always  noticed  that  in 
any  given  locality,  of  apparently  similar  characteristics,  only 
one  or  more  parts  would  be  tenanted  by  Bachman's  Sparrow. 
It  breeds  wherever  it  occurs. 

235.  rielospiza  fasciata  Gmel.     Song  Sparrow. 

A  Avinter  resident  in  the  pine-woods,  but  chiefly  a  migrant. 

236.  rielospiza  georgiana  Lath.    Swamp  Sparrow. 

An  abundant  winter  resident  throughout  the  state,  stay- 
ing late  into  spring  (May  3,  1898). 


34 

237.  Passerella  iliaca  Mcrr.    Fox  Sparrow. 

A  fairly  commou  winter  resident  in  most  parts  of  tlie 
state. 

238.  Pipiio  erythrophthalmus  Liim.     Toivhce. 

A  common  winter  resident  in  every  section  of  the  state; 
abundant  in  Avinter. 
23d.     Cardinalis  cardinalis  Liiiu.     Cardinal;  Bed-hird. 

This  well-known  songster  is  an  abundant  rcrsident  in  all 
parts  of  the  state. 

240.  Habia  ludoviciana  Linn.    Eose-hrmstcd  Orosbeah. 

A  tolerably  common  fall  and  spring  migrant;  arriving 
generally  at  New  Orleans  station  during  the  hrsthalf  of  April, 
and  again  passing  through  during  September. 

241.  Quiraca  coerula  Linn.    Blue  Grosbeak. 

A  most  abundant  summer  resident  in  some  sections  of  the 
state,  especially  in  the  Florida  parishes,  where  it  is  generally 
called  ''Kicebird."  Flocks  of  thousands  descend  upon  the  ripe 
rice  during  August  and  September. 

242.  Cyanospizacyanea  Linn.     ImlUjo  Bird;  Eveque;  P ape  bleu. 
An  abundant  summer  resident  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 

243.  Cyanospiza  ciris  Linn.    Painted  Finch;  Nonpareil;  Pape  rourje. 
Like  the  preceding,  an  abundant  summer  resident,  but  a 

few  evidently  remain  throughont  the  Avinter,  as  I  have,  for 
several  years,  seen  individnals  during  DcQember  and  January. 

244.  Spiza  americana  Gmel.    Blaek-fhroafed  JJunlinfj. 

A  common  migrant.  It  arrives  during  the  early  days  of 
April  and  lea\^es  in  the  beginning  of  May.  In  the  fall,  it 
passes  through  in  September  and  October. 

Family  TANAGKIDyE. 

245.  Piranga  ludoviciana  Wils.    Louisiana  Tanarjer. 

Thus  far,  only  one  record  has  been  obtained  for  this 
AVestern  form  in  this  state.  The  specimen  Avas  secured  by  Mr. 
Allison  near  NeAv  Orleans,  March  19,  1898.  It  was  identified 
by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  of  Washington,  DC. 

246.  Piranga  erythromelas  Viell.    Scarlet  Tanagcr. 

A  fairly  common  fall  and  spring  migrant^  arriving  during 
the  first  days  of  April  and  leaving  about  the  end  of  September. 

247.  Piranga  rubra  Linn.     Summer  Medbird;  Quaker. 

An  abundant  summer  resident  everywhere  in  the  state; 
arriving  during  the  earlj^  days  of  April;  leaving  from  the  mid- 


35 

die  to  the  end  of  September,  a  few  stragglers  remaining  until 
the  end  of  October. 


Family  HIKUNDINID/E. 

348.  Progne  subis  Limi.    J'to-jtlc  Martin. 

A  common  summer  resident  and  breeding.  This  species 
seems  to  inaugurate,  as  well  as  speed  the  annual  migration, 
for  it  is  the  first  migrant  to  arrive  and  the  last  to'leave.  The 
earliest  date  of  its  arrival  that  I  have  been  able  to  note  was 
on  January  29,  1890;  the  next  earliest:  January  31,  1894,  and 
February  7,  1897.  The  latest  date  of  departure,  October  22, 
1894. 

349.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  Say.     (JUff  Swallow. 

A  fairly  common  migrant.  1  hove,  however,  every  reason 
to  believe  that  this  species  breeds  in  limited  numbers  in  Louisi- 
ana, as  I  have  secured  sj)ecimens  in  New  Orleans  as  early  as 
August  2,  whose  plumage  was  too  immature  to  have  stood  the 
test  of  migration. 
250.    Hirundo  erythrogaster  Bodd.    Bani  Swallow. 

Until  recently,  this  species  was  not  thought  to  breed  in 
the  state,  but  according  to  Mr.  H.  H.  Kopman  and  Mr.  A.  1^. 
Blakemore  it  does  so  in  the  vicinity  of  New^  Orleans  as  well 
as  along  the  coast,  eastward.  It  arrives  within  our  i)recinots 
in  March  (March  20,  1894 — so  far,  the  earliest  date),  and  gen- 
erally leaves  in  October.  Mr.  Blakemore  saw  it  as  late  as 
November  3,  1895,  and  Messrs.  Kopman  and  Allison  on  the 
same  date  in  189G.  Concerning  the  movementsof  this  species 
Mr.  Kopman  furnishes  me  with  the  following  interesting 
note:  *^Barn  Swallow — August  4— Many  males  were  passing, 
following  the  coast;  these  birds  Avent  singly.  August  IL — A 
second  flight  began;  the  birds,  this  time,  went  in  loose  flocks 
and  were  principally  females  and  young.  The  species  doubt- 
lessly breeds  in  the  vicinity  of  Beauvoir." 
351.    Tachycinetabicolor  Viell.     Whlte-bclUed  Swallow. 

The  most  abundant  of  all  our  swallows;  it  occurs  every- 
where in  the  state,  and  at  all  times  of  the  year.     It  feeds  on 
Myriea  cerifera,  and  is  called  '*Oirier"  in  the  markets  of  New 
Orleans,  where  it  is  sold  abundantly. 
353.    Clivicola  riparia  Liiiu.    J >ank  Swallow. 

A  regular  summer  resident  in  some  sections  of  the  state 
wherever  high  river-banks  afford  nesting  places, 


36 

353.    Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  And.    Bo ugh-winrjefl Swallow. 

A  regular  summer  resident;  frequenting  the  same  loeali- 
ties  as  the  preceding  species. 

Family  AMPELID^. 

254.  Ampelis  cedrorum  Viell.     Cedar-Urd;  Murier. 

In  Louisiana,  this  species  is  everytliing  but  a  breeder,  so 
erratic  is  it  in  its  movements.  In  the  fall,  it  appears  some- 
times as  early  as  October  10,  then  again  not  until  the  begin- 
ning of  December.  I  have  found  it  in  large  flocks  in  the 
early  summer  (June  3,  at  Madison ville). 

Family  LANID^. 

255.  Laniusludovicianus  Liiiu.     LofjfjerJicad  Shrike. 

A  common  resident  and  breeding  throughout  the  state. 

256.  Lanius  ludovicianus  migrans  Cliap.        Mhjratory  Loygerhead 
Shrike. 

This  sub-species  is  a  common  winter  visitor  throughout 
the  state,  but  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  its  movements, 
owing  to  its  resemblance  to  the  preceding  species. 

Family  VIREONID^. 

257.  Vireo  olivaceus  Linn,     lied-eyed  Vireo;  Grasset. 

An  abundant  summer  resident;  breeding.  It  arrives 
within  our  borders  later  than  the  middle  of  March  (earliest 
date,  March  18,  1894)  and  leaves  in  October.  It  feeds  princi- 
pally on  Magnolia  seeds  in  the  fall,  upon  which  they  become 
exceedingly  fat  and  well  flavored. 

258.  Vireo  pliiladelphicus  Cass.    Fhiladelphia  Vireo. 

A  not  very  common  migrant;  passing  through  the  state 
during  Ajml.  During  the  fall  migration  it  is  not  seen  until 
rather  late  in  October  [October  10,  1896].  The  more  remark- 
able, therefore,  is  the  record  of  Mr.  H.  Ballowe,  who  procured 
a  specimen  at  Hester,  St.  James  parish,  as  early  as  August  2, 
1893. 

259.  Vireo  gilvus  Viell.     Warhlinr/  Vireo. 

A  fairly  common  summer  resident  throughout  the  state. 
It  arrives  within  our  i)recincts  at  the  end  of  March  [March 
27,  1897],  and  leaves  in  September. 

260.  Vireo  flavifrons  Viell.     Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

A  summer  resident  throughout  the  state,  but  rather  more 
common  than  the  preceding  species.    It  arrives  in  the  begin- 


87 

ning  of  April  [April  4,  1890;  April  9,  1895],  but  stays  late 

into  October  [October  11,  1896]. 

261     Vireo  solitarius  Wils.    Jil ne-headed  Vireo . 

A  fairly  coiiiinon  winter  resident;  arriving  from  beyond 
our  southern  border  at  tbe  end  of  Marcli  |  March  26,  1894; 
March  28,  1895]  departing  in  September  and  the  early  days 
of  October. 
263.     Vireo  noveboracensis  Gniel.     White-eyed  Vireo. 

Probably  the  most  abundant  of  all  our  Yireos;  princi- 
pally a  summer  resident,  but  many  j)ass  their  winters  within 
our  borders. 

Family  MNIOTILTID^. 

263.  Mniotilta  variaLinn.     Blaclc-and-white  Creeper. 

An  abundant  migrant  throughout  the  state,  but  in  St, 
Tammany  and  Tangipahoa  parishes  1  have  found  young  birds, 
in  fairly  large  numbers  and  scarcely  able  to  fly,  in  the  early 
days  of  July.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  they  were  hatched 
in  the  gum-swamps  of  the  vicinity. 

264.  Protonotaria  citrea  Bodd.    Prothonotary  Warbler. 

An  abundant  summer  resident  throughout  the  entire 
state ;  arriving  within  our  southern  border  in  March  [earliest 
date  for  New  Orleans  station  March  15,  1894],  leaving  toward 
the  end  of  September. 

265.  Helinaia  swainsonii  And.    Swainson's  Warbler. 

A  suminer  resident  in  various  parts  of  the  state.  It  was 
obtained  by  Chas.  Galbraith  [a  collector  of  bird-skins  for 
millinery  purposes]  near  Lewisburg,  St.  Tammany  parish,  in 
March  and  April,  188G  and  1887.  I  shot  a  male  on  June  4, 
1888,  near  Amite,  on  the  Tangipahoa  river,  and  Messrs  Kop- 
man,  Allison  and  Blakemore  have  found  it  rather  common  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  opposite  New  Orleans.  It 
has  also  been  recorded  from  Bayou  Sara. 

266.  Helmitherus  vermivorus  Gniel.      Worm-eating  Warbler. 

A  not  very  common  summer  resident.  It  arrives  in  the 
beginning  of  April,  and  leaves  in  September. 

267.  Helminthophila  bachmani  And.     Bachmaii's  Warbler. 

Mr.  (Jharles  Oalbraith's  records,  published  in  the  Auk 
[Vols.  IV  and  V],  are,  thus  far,  the  only  notes  on  this  species. 
It  is  undoubtedly  not  only  rare  generally,  but  only  a  migrant 
as  well. 


38 

268.     Helminthophila  pinus  Linn.     Blue-winged  Warbler . 

A  migTciiit.  It  arrives  witliin  our  soutliern  borders  at 
f.lie  end  of  Marcli.  During  fall  migratiou,  the  earliest  arri- 
vals in  the  state  reach  about  the  middle  of  August. 

2G9.     Helminthophila  chrysoptera  Liun.       Golden-winged   Warbler. 

Like  tlie  preceding,  a  migrant  only,  and  observing,  dur- 
ing migration,  very  much  tlie  same  dates  of  arrival  and 
departure. 

270.  Helminthophilacelata  Say.     Orange-crowned,  Warbler. 

A  fairly  common,  and  sometimes  even  an  abuiuiant  win- 
ter resident  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state  from  November 
to  tlie  beginning  of  March  [March  11,  1894]. 

271.  Helminthophila  peregrina  Wills.     Tennessef!  Warbler 

A  common  migrant;  arriving  at  the  end  of  March  and 
beginning  of  April.  It  is,  however,  much  more  common  dur- 
ing fall  migration;  reaching  the  southern  parts  of  the  state  at 
the  end  of  September  [Sei)tember  23,  1897 — so  far  the  earliest 
record],  and  has  been,  as  "last,''  noted  as  late  as  the  end  of 
October  [October  27,  1896]. 

272.  Compsothlypis    americana    Linn.       Bhie-and-yeUow-baeled 
Warbler. 

A  common  summer  resident  tliroughout  the  state;  arriv- 
ing In  February  and  March  [Pebrnary  22, 189;> — earliest  date], 
and  leaving  in  October  [in  1895,  the  last  was  seen  near  New 
Orleans  on  October  19), 

273.  Dendroica  tigrina  Ginel      Cape  May  Warbler. 

For  this  rare  warbler  there  is,  thus  far,  but  one  record. 
The  specimen,  in  question,  was  secured  in  Ax)ril,  1890,  on  the 
old  Orleans  Canal, near  New  Orleans, by  Mr.  Erich  Wittkugel. 

274.  Dendroica  aestiva  Gniel.     Summer  Warbler. 

An  exceedingly  common  migrant  in  all  parts  of  the  state; 
arriving  In  tlie  beginning  of  April.  During  fall  migration, 
the  bulk  pass  through  in  September.  I  have  found  numbers 
of  this  species  breeding  near  Madisonville,  St.  Tammany 
parish. 

275.  Dendroica  cserulscens  Ginel.     Dlael-lhroa fed  Blue  Warbler. 
A  migrant,  reaching  oar  southern  portions  at  the  end  o^ 

Marcli ;  passing  throngh  the  state  again  in  September. 

276.  Dendroica  coronata  Linn-     Myrtle  Warbler. 

One  of  the  most  abundant  winter  residents  of  all  Louisi- 
ana's migrants;  heard  and  seen  in  almost  every  part  of  the 


39 

state  from  October  to  April.  The  earliest  date  of  arrival  dur- 
ing the  past  seven  or  ei^lit  years,  was  October  17,  1896,  and 
the  last  seen,  April  27,  1897. 

277.     Dendroica  maculosa  Gmel.     MaunoUn  Warbler. 

A  very  common  migrant  thronghout  the  state;  arriving 
on  its  spring  migration  in  the  beginning  of  April.  In  1895 
the  last  was  noticed  as  late  as  May  2.  During  fall  migration 
the  earliest  arrival  at  New  Orleans  was  September  17,  1897, 
and  in  1895  it  was  still  extremely  common,  October  19. 

2'78.     Dendroica  rara  Wils.     Cernlean  Warhlcr . 

Fairly  common  during  migration;  less  common  during  tl»« 
summer.  It  breeds,  however,  in  the  state,  and  I  have  found 
it  in  Franklin  and  St.  Tammany  parishes.  It  arrives  in 
March  and  leaves  in  October. 

279.  Dendroica  pennsylvanica  Linn.     Chesimd-f^ided  Warbler. 

Fairly  common  during  migration;  arriving  in  Louisiana 
in  the  first  days  of  April,  and  on  the  return  voyage,  in  the  fall, 
it  passes  through  the  state  in  September, 

280.  Dendroica  castanea  Wils.    Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

Like  the  precedfng,  only  a  migrant,  and  in  its  movement 
it  is  also  very  much  the  same,  with  the  exception  that  it 
seems  to  tarry"  longer  on  its  voyage.  In  spring,  1897,  the 
*'last''  [a,  i)air]  were  noticetl  at  New  Orleans  on  Mjiy  5. 

281.  Dendroica  striata  Foist.     Black-roll   Warbler. 

Fairly  common  during  migration ;  arriving  in  the  begin- 
ning of  April,  and  returning  in  the  fall  about  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember, the  last  being  usually  seen  October  10. 

282.  Dendroica  blackburniae  Gmol .     Blackburnian  Warbler. 

This  beautiful  species  is  unfoitunately  only  a  migrant  in 
our  state,  and  not  a  common  one  either.  It  enters  Louisiana 
on  its  way  north  in  April,  returning,  during  fall  migration, 
towards  the  end  of  Sei)tember  and  October.  The  earliest  ar- 
rival for  fall  records  for  New  Orleans  was  September  24, 
1897  ;  the  latest  October  9,  1896. 

283.  Dendroica  doifiinica  albilora  Haird.  Sv/camore  Warbler. 

A  common  summer  resident  and  breeding  throughout 
the  state.  It  becomes  common  from  the  9th  to  the  loth  of 
Mnrqh  annually,  but  the  earhest  date  of  first  arrival,  so  far, 
is  Feb.  27,  1897.  It  remains  with  us  until  the  latter  part  of 
September,  the  '»la.st"  being  often  observed  on  the  10th  or 
lltk  c^f  October. 


40 

284.  Dendroica  vireus  Gmel.     Blacl-throatcd  Green  Warbler. 

A  common  migrant;  entering  our  precincts  in  Ai^ril,  and 
passing  tliroug^h  the  state  witliont  delay.  In  tlie  fall  it  ar- 
rives about  the  middle  of  September,  but  the  latest  date  of 
the  "last  seen"  was  October  22, 189(>,  at  New  Orleans. 

285.  Dendroica  vigorsii  And.     Pine  Warbler. 

An  exceedingly  common  resident  throughout  the  year  in 
all  parts  of  the  state  where  pines  grow.     Breeding. 

'286.     Dendroica  palmarum  G«i el.     Bed-poll  Warbler . 

A  very  common  winter  resident  throughout  Louisiana; 
arriving  from  its  northern  breeding-i)laces  during  the  begin- 
ning of  November  and  leaving  at  the  end  of  March  and  begin- 
ning of  April.  The  earliest  date  of  arrival  and  latest  day  of 
departure  for  Ne\v  Orleans  are  Novend)er  6,  1894,  and  April 
11,  189G,  respectively. 

^87.      Dendroica  discolor  Viell-    Prairie  Warbler. 

Being  fairly  common  about  Oentreville  and  Ariel,  in  Miss- 
issippi, not  many  miles  from  our  state  line,  and  the  localities 
exhibiting  the  same  characteristics,  I  think  it  merel}^  an  over- 
sight that  there  is  no  record  of  this  not  ..uncommon  warbler 
having  been  taken  within  our  i)recincts. 

288.  Seiurus  aurocapillus  Linn.     Oven-bird. 

Common  during  migration;  arriving  from  the  south  in 
Ai)ril,  the  last  of  the  spring  migrants  being  generally  noticed 
in  the  early  days  of  May,  In  the  fall  it  arrives  during  Sep- 
tember, and  the  last  have  i)assed  through  by  the  middle  of 
October.  It  is,  however,  a  winter  resident  in  the  extreme 
soutli  and  southwest.  I  obtained  it  on  Avery's  Island  in  Janu- 
ary 1894  and  189G. 

289.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  Gmel.    Water- Thrush. 

Like  the  preceding,  very  common  during  migration, 
especially  in  autumn.  Tlie  latest  date  of  departure  in  spring 
is  May  7,  1897. 

290.  Seiurus  motacilla  Viell.     Louisiana  Water-Thrnsh. 

A  summer  resident;  quite  common  on  the  banks  of  the 
bayous  in  the  Florida  parishes,  and  the  middle  and  northern 
sections. 

291.  Geothlypis  formosa  Wils.     Kentucly  Warbler. 

A  common  summer  resident  and  breeding  in  almost  every 
section  of  the  state.  It  first  makes  its  appearance  within  our 
limits  during  the  first  days  of  April,  and  becomes  common 


41 

about  the  middle  of  the  same  month.     It  winters  south  of  our 
borders,  aud  generally  leaves  during  the  first  half  of  Septem- 
ber. 
392.     Qeothlypis  Philadelphia  Wils.     Mourning  Warbler. 

A  spring  and  fall  migrant  only,  and  not  very  common. 
It  arriv^es  from  the  south  not  earlier  than  the  middle  of 
April.  The  last  is  usually  noticed  at  the  end  of  the  month. 
In  fall  migration  the  "last"  has  been  seen  at  New  Orleans  as 
late  as  October  7  [iSOGj. 

293  Geothylpis  trichas  occidentalis  Biewst.       Western    Maryland 
Yellow  throat. 

An  abundant  resident  throughout  the  state. 

294  Icteria  virensLinn.     Willoi(f-chat;  Yellow-breasted  chjcit 

A  common  summer  resident  and  breeding  in  most  sections 
of  the  state,  preferring,  however,  the  vicinity  of  watercourses 
aud  is  especially  fond  of  the  willow-ponds  of  the  southern 
parts  of  Louisiana.  This  species  never  occurs  within  our  i)re- 
cincts  before  the  15th  or  18th  of  April,  and  is  never  common 
until  about  the  end  of  that  month,  and  sometimes  not  until 
the  1st  or  2d  of  May.  It  leaves  in  August,  and  the  last  have 
departed  before  the  middle  of  Ser>tember. 

295.  Wilsonia  mitrata  Gmel.    Hooded  Warbler . 

A  common  summer  resident  and  breeder  throughout  the 
state.  Its  earliest  arrival  in  spring  for  New  Orleans,  during 
the  i)ast  eight  years,  was  March  8,  1896;  the  latest  date, 
March  23,  1895,  and  the  bulk  did  not  come  until  March  30. 
It  leaves  the  state  in  September,  and  the  last  straggler  was 
seen  October  19  [1895]. 

296.  Setophaga  ruticilla  Linn .     American  Bedstart . 

An  abundant  migrant  in  spring  and  fall.  It  reaches  our 
southern  border  during  the  first  days  of  April,  and  remains 
with  us  until  the  end  of  the  month.  The  ''last"  was  noted 
May  2  [1895].  The  species  is,  however,  one  of  the  first  arriv- 
als of  the  fall  migration.  The  earliest  date  on  which  it  was 
seen  was  July  30,  1897.  It  became  common  on  August  11, 
and  the  "last"  had  left  before  the  end  of  September. 

Family  MOTACILLID^. 

297.  Anthus  pennsylvanicus  Lath.    American  Pipit. 

An  abundant  winter  resident  throughout  the  state;  ar- 
riving during  the  latter  part  of  October  (Oct.  21,  1896 — earli- 
est date  for  New  Orleans] ;  leaving  during  the  latter  half  of 
April  ["last"  seen  May  2,  1894]. 


42 

298.  Anthusspragueii  And.     Sprafjuc^s  Pi2)it. 

A  coiiiiiioii  wiiitor  resident  in  the  sontbern  sections  of  the 
state,  especially  along  the  Mississippi.  It  arrives  in  October 
and  leaves  in  April. 

Family  TROGLODYTID.E. 

299.  Mimus  polyglottus  Linn  .     Mocldiujbird. 

An  abundant  resident  in  every  part  of  the  state. 

300.  Qaleoscoptes  carolinensis  Linn .     Catlnrd. 

A  common  winter  resident  throughout  the  state;  usually 
arriving,  with  in  the  state  limits  towards  the  latter  part  of  Sep- 
tember, the  earliest  date  of  arrival  at  New  Orleans  being 
September  7,  1896.  During  spring  migration,  the  bulk  gen- 
erally pass  through  the  stnte  about  the  latter  part  of  April, 
and  the  ^'last"  is  usually  seen  during  the  first  few  days  of  May 
[May  5,  1897]. 

301.  Harporynchus  rufus  Linn.    Brown  Thraft/icr. 

A  common  resident  throui»hout  the  state,  but  rather  an 
irregular  breeder  in  the  southern  section. 

302.  Thryothorus  ludovicianus  Lalli.     Carolina  Wren. 
An  abundant  resident  throughout  the  state. 

303.  Thryomanes  bewickii  And.    Bewiclxh  Wren. 

A  common  winter  resident,  but  confined  to  certain  local- 
ities. It  has,  so  far,  been  found  only  in  St.  James,  Orleans 
aiid  Plaquemine  parishes,  but  it  undoubtedly  occurs  else- 
Avhere  in  the  state. 

304.  Troglodytes  aedon  VielL  House  Wren. 

A  very  common  winter  resident,  but  arriving  late  in  the 
fall ;  not  usually  until  November. 

305.  Anorthura  hiemalis  Viell.     Winter  Wren. 

A  fairly  common  winter  resident,  but  arriving  late;  not 
usually  before  the  middle  of  November.  The  earliest  date,  so 
far,  for  New  Orleans  is  November  1 ,  1897 . 

306.  Cistothorus  stellaris  Licht.     Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 
A  winter  resident  and  not  common. 

307.  Cistothorus  palustris  Wils.    Long-hil  ed  Marsh  Wren. 

A  very  common,  if  not  abundant  resident,  especially  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  Florida  i)arishes  and  southern  section, 


43 

Family  CERTHIID^. 

308.  Certhia  familiaris  fusca  Barton.    Brown  Creeper. 

A  transient  winter  visitor  throughout  the  state,  but 
never  in  ^reat  numbers.  It  arrives  at  the  end  of  October, 
and  the  "last"  usually  leaves  at  the  end  of  March. 

Family  PARIDJ5. 

309.  Sitta  carolinensis  Lath.     White-bellied  Nuthatch. 

A  common  resident  in  the  pine-hills  and  pine-flats, 
especially  of  eastern  Louisiana. 

310.  Sitta  pusilla  Lath.     Broicn-heacled  Nuthateh. 

A  common  resident;  occupying  the  same  range  as  the 
preceding. 

311.  Parus  bicolor  Linn      Tufted  Titmouse . 

A  common  resident  in  many  sections  of  the  state;  prefer- 
ing,  however,  the  pine-wood  parishes.     It  is  not  found  in  the 
extreme  southwestern  section  of  the  state. 
313.    Parus  carolinensis  And.    Carolina  Chickadee. 

An  abundant  resident  throughout  the  state. 

Family  SYLVIIDiE. 

313.  Regulussatrapa  Licht.     Golden-crowned  Kinglet. 

A  fairly  common  winter  resident  in  many  parts  ol  the 
state  where  heavily  timbered  localities  occur.  It  arrives  very 
late  in  the  fall,  and  leaves  early  in  March. 

314.  Regulus  calendula  Linn.    Buhy- crowned  Kinglet. 

Much  more  abundant  than  the  preceding,  although  only 
a  winter  resident .  It  arrives  within  our  borders  during  the 
latter  half  of  October,  and  leaves  about  the  middle  and  end 
of  March.  The  latest  date  of  its  presence  at  ifew  Orleans,  so 
far  noted,  is  April  8,  1898. 

315.  Polioptila  caerulea  Linn.     Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher. 

A  very  common  summer  resident  and  breeding  through- 
out the  state.  A  few  occasionally  winter  in  the  southern 
section. 

Family  TURDID^. 

316.  Hylocichia  mustelinus  Gmel.     Wood  Thrush;  Caille  J^ivelee. 
Besident  in  summer  in  some  localities;  a  common  mi- 
grant in  all  parts  of  the  state.    It  usually  arrives  in  spring 
within  our  borders  during  April,  the  earliest  date  of  arrival 
at   New  Orleans,  so  far  noted,  being  March  2G,  1898.  ,   The 


44 

latest  date  of  departure  for  fall  migration  is  October  11,  1896. 
This  species  is  shot  in  large  numbers  for  the  New  Orleans 
markets. 

317.  Hylocichia  fuscescens  Steph.     Wilson^ s  Thrush. 

A  common  migrant ;  arriving  in  April,  the  ''last"  of  the 
spring  migrants  being  generally  seen  in  theearly  partof  May. 
It  arrives  again  from  the  north  in  September,  a  few  strag- 
glers being  sometimes  noticed  as  late  as  the  middle  of  Octo- 
ber.* 

318.  Hylocichia  aliciae  Baird.     Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 

A  common  spring  and  fall  migrant;  arriving  from  the 
south  in  April.  The  earliest  record  for  ^ew  Orleans  is  March 
26,  1897;  the  bulk  not  appearing  until  May  4,  and  the  "last" 
was  noted  May  7.  In  the  autumn  migration  it  leaves  Louis- 
iana during  the  latter  half  of  September. 

319.  Hylocichia  ustulata  swainsonii  Cab.     OUve-backed  Thrush. 
Like  the  preceding,  a  fairly  common  transient  in  spring 

and  autumn.  It  reaches  the  southern  portion  of  the  state  in 
April,  the  last  being  usually  noticed  in  the  beginning  of  May 
[latest  date  at  Kew  Orleans — May  7,  1897],  On  Its  autumn 
voyage  it  reaches  New  Orleans  about  September  25.  The 
latest  date  of  the  "last"— October  9,  1894. 

320.  Hylocichia  aonalaschkse  pallasii  Cab.    Hermit  Thrush- 

A  common  winter  resident  in  the  southern  and  southwes- 
tern parts  of  the  state,  but  arriving  rather  late  in  the  fallj 
usually  not  before  the  end  of  October,  and  the  bulk  do  not 
make  their  aiDpearance  until  the  beginning  of  November.  It 
departs  at  the  end  of  March  and  beginning  of  April. 

321.  Merula  migratoria  Linn.     American  EoUn . 

An  abundant  winter  resident  throughout  the  state; 
arriving  about  the  end  of  October  and  beginning  of  November; 
leaving  in  February  and  March,  although  stragglers  often 
stay  until  far  into  April  [latest  date  of  "last"  at  New  Orleans 
—April  21,  1895]. 

Family  SAXICOLID^. 

323.    Saxicola  oenanthe  Linn.     Wheatear.  ^ 

*The  but  little  differing  Western  race  of  this  species  (H.  fuscescens  salicicola 
RIdgw.— Willow  Thrush)  has  beental<en  at  Ariel,  i^iss  ,  by  Mr.  A.  Allison.— G.  E.  B. 

§This  species  should  perhaps  have  been  placed  in  the  "Hypothetical  List," 
but  I  have  preferred  retaining  It  here  on  the  ground  that,  being  a  not  uncommon 
bird  in  the  northeastern  portions  of  the  United  States,  it  is  just  possible,  under  the 
recurrent  waves  of  migration,  it  may  again  be  recorded  as  far  south  as  Louisiana. -- 
O.  E.  B. 


45 

There  is  but  a  single  record  of  this  species  for  Louisiana, 
and  perhaps  for  the  whole  of  the  United  States,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  northeastern  portions.  The  specimen  which 
made  this  record  was  secured  by  myself  on  the  outskirts  of 
New  Orleans,  September  12,  1888.  The  bird  was  mounted 
and  is  now  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Kohn. 
333.    Sialis  sialis  Liun.    Bluebird. 

A  constant  and  common  resident  throughout  the  state. 
Since  the  extremely  cold  weather  of  February,  1895,  their 
numbers  have  been  greatly  reduced.  During  the  breeding 
season  this  species  decidedly  jirefers  the  pine  regions  to  other 
parts  of  the  state. 


HYPOTHETICAL  SPECIES. 


1.  Coiymbus  nigricollis  californicus  Heerm.  Amerkcm  Eared  Grebe 

2.  Larus  marinus  Linn.     Great  JBlack-jbacked  Gull 

3.  Sterna  hirundo  Linn.     Common  Tern. 

4.  Histrionicus  histrionicus  Linn.     Harlequin  Duck. 

5.  Dendrocygna  autumnalis  Linn.    Black-bellied  Tree-Duck. 

6.  Phalaropus  lobatus  Linn .     Northern  Fhalarope . 

7.  Ereunetes  occidentaiis  Lawr.      Western  Sandpiper. 

8.  Buteo  swainsoni  Bonap.    Swainson^s  Hawk. 

9.  Aquila  chrysaetos  Linn.     Golden  Eagle. 

10.  riegascops  asio  Linn.    Screech  Owl. 

11.  Milvulus  tyrannus  Linn.    Fork- tailed  Flycatcher. 

12.  Tyrannus  dominicensis  Gmel.     Gray  Kingbird. 
13-    Tyrannus  verticalis  Say.     Western  Kinghird. 

14     Otocoris  alpestris  giraudi  Hensh.    Texas  Horned  Lark. 

15.  Molothrus  ater  obscurus  Gmel.    Dwarf  Cowbird. 

16.  Ammodramus    sandwichensis   alaudinus    Bonap.  Western 

Savanna  Sparrow. 

17.  Helminthophila  ruficapilla  Wils.    Nashville  Warbler. 

18.  Dendroica  dominica  Liun.     Yellow-throated  Warbler. 

19.  Dendroica  palmarum  hypochrysea  Ridgw.   Yellow  Palm  Warb- 

ler. 

20.  Geothlypis  agilis  Wils.    Connecticut  Warbler. 
^1.    Wilsonia  pusilla  Wils.     Wilson's  Warbler. 
22.    Sitta  canadensis  Linn.    Bed-bellied  Nuthatch. 


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RENEWED  BOOKS  ARE  SUBJECT  TO  IMMEDIATE 
RECALL 


LIBRARY,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  DAVIS 

Book  Slip-50m-8,'66(Go530s4)458 


N2  461645 

QL684 
Beyer,  G.E.  L8 

The  avifauna  of  B4 

Louisiana. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

DAVIS 


